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Walleye Native

🔬 Sander vitreus

Prized table fish. Most active at dawn, dusk, and on overcast days.

1-4 lbs, 14-22 inches
Typical size
17 lbs 3 oz
Michigan record
Spring, Fall
Best season
791
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 17 lbs 3 oz ·Earl Anderson ·Pine Lake ·Benzie County ·1951 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Walleye

Jan
Good
Feb
Good
Mar
Excellent
Apr
Excellent
May
Excellent
Jun
Good
Jul
Fair
Aug
Fair
Sep
Good
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Excellent
Dec
Good

❄️ Walleye is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.

🛡 Walleye Conservation Status

Native Walleye is native to Michigan waters. Michigan's most sought-after sport fish. Healthy statewide populations supported by MDNR stocking. Michigan requires a minimum length of 15" to keep. The daily bag limit is 5.

🌿 Walleye Habitat & Behavior

Found statewide in lakes and rivers. Prefers moderate depths with sandy or gravel bottoms. Active at low light. DNR records show Walleye present in 791 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Allegan, Antrim and Iron counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec. Walleye is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.

🎣 Best Walleye Techniques

Jigs with minnows, crawler harnesses, trolling crankbaits

🪱 Best Walleye Baits

Minnows, night crawlers, leeches, jigging spoons, blade baits

📋 Walleye Fishing Regulations in Michigan

15"
Minimum size
5
Daily limit
10
Possession limit
Last Saturday in April – March 15
Season

Minimum size and bag limits vary significantly by water body — some lakes have 18" or 20" minimums. Always check the DNR guide for your specific lake.

⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually. Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.

🌊 Where to Catch Walleye in Michigan

Lake County Population
Brevoort Lake
4,179 acres
 Mackinac Excellent
Burt Lake
17,120 acres
 Cheboygan Excellent
Coldwater Lake
1,561 acres
 Branch Excellent
Croton Pond
1,605 acres
 Newaygo Excellent
Fletcher Pond
8,600 acres
 Montmorency Excellent
Fremont Lake
1,700 acres
 Newaygo Excellent
Hardy Pond
4,025 acres
 Newaygo Excellent
Houghton Lake
20,044 acres
 Roscommon Excellent
Indian Lake
8,689 acres
 Schoolcraft Excellent
Lake Gogebic
13,380 acres
 Gogebic Excellent
Lake Michigamme
4,149 acres
 Marquette Excellent
Lake Mitchell
2,580 acres
 Wexford Excellent
Lake St. Clair
260,000 acres
 Macomb Excellent
Onaway Lake
2,500 acres
 Presque Isle Excellent
Pickerel Lake
840 acres
 Newaygo Excellent
Alcona Dam Pond Good
Alcona Pond Alcona Good
Algonquin Lake Good
Allen Lake Good
Amber Lake Pit Good
Michigan Fishing DNR Stocking Record Verified Data
SpeciesWalleye
Quantity65,155 fish
StockedJun 26, 2026
Size at stocking2.0"
Lake Lake Cadillac, Wexford Co.

📋 Walleye Stocking Events by Lake

Date Lake County Quantity Size
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing+
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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Jun 30, 2026 Bear Lake Manistee 84,870 2.1"
Jun 29, 2026 Lake Margrethe 62,470 2.1"
Jun 29, 2026 Lake Missaukee Missaukee 101,570 2.1"
Jun 26, 2026 Stager Lake Iron 6,265 1.7"
Jun 26, 2026 Chicagon Lake Iron 2,853 1.7"
Jun 26, 2026 Island Lake Ogemaw 8,241 1.7"
Jun 26, 2026 Lake Cadillac Wexford 65,155 2.0"
Jun 26, 2026 Indian Lake Schoolcraft 1,021 1.6"
Jun 25, 2026 Sixmile Lake Charlevoix 9,665 2.0"
Jun 25, 2026 Manistee Lake Manistee 45,775 2.0"
Jun 25, 2026 Lake Michigan Allegan 9,882 1.8"
Jun 24, 2026 Chicagon Lake Iron 24,778 1.6"
Most valuable for Walleye anglers
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Full stocking history across all 649 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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See which Michigan lakes are likely to be stocked with Walleye next — view the stocking forecast →

📋 Quick Walleye Facts

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

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