Once the most abundant fish in Lake Michigan -- historical commercial catches exceeded 30 million pounds annually. Silvery, streamlined, and schooling in massive open-water aggregations. Critically important forage species for lake trout, muskellunge, and northern pike. Also called "lake herring." Has been listed as Michigan Threatened due to catastrophic population decline from overfishing and sea lamprey predation.
🔴 ThreatenedCisco is listed as threatened in Michigan. Listed as Michigan Threatened. Once the most commercially important Great Lakes fish -- millions of pounds harvested annually from Lake Michigan alone. Populations crashed from a combination of commercial overfishing, sea lamprey predation, and competition with introduced rainbow smelt. Recovery is ongoing but slow. Critical prey base for lake trout and other Great Lakes predators. The daily bag limit is 25.
🌿 Cisco Habitat & Behavior
Cold, deep water in all Great Lakes and select cold inland Michigan lakes. Suspends at thermocline in summer. Spawns near shore at night in late fall on rocky or sandy bottom. DNR records show Cisco present in 33 Michigan water bodies. Bite activity rates Good or better in Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec. Cisco is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.
🎣 Best Cisco Techniques
Ice fishing with small spoons and jigging lures at thermocline depth; fall trolling near river mouths with small spoons
🪱 Best Cisco Baits
Small jigs, minnows, emerald shiners, spoons, ice flies
📋 Cisco Fishing Regulations in Michigan
25
Daily limit
50
Possession limit
Year-round
Season
Excellent eating fish. Most active in cold, deep water. Fall and winter through the ice are prime times.
⚠️ 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.
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
🎯
Estimated Mature Cisco, October
Based on DNR stocking records from 2021–2023
(3–5 years ago),
these 0 lakes likely hold mature
Cisco at or near
12" keeper size today.
🗓
No DNR stocking records found for Cisco between 2021 and 2023.
This species may not have been stocked in Michigan during that window.
Estimates based on average stocking-size survival rates. Actual populations vary by habitat, fishing pressure, and lake conditions. Data sourced from Michigan DNR.
📅 Best Times to Fish Cisco
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
January
Good
February
Good
March
Good
April
Fair
May
Fair
June
Fair
July
Fair
August
Fair
September
Good
October Now
Excellent
November
Excellent
December
Excellent
❄️ Cisco is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.
💡 Angler Tips for Cisco
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