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Lake Herring

🔬 Coregonus artedi

Lake Herring (also called Cisco or Tullibee) are a native Great Lakes species and important forage fish. Distinct from the inland Cisco, Lake Herring are primarily found in the open waters of the Great Lakes and are prized as a table fish and ice fishing target.

10–16", 0.5–2 lbs
Typical size
6 lbs 6 oz
Michigan record
Late fall and winter
Best season
60
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 6 lbs 6 oz ·Michael Lemanski ·Lake Ottawa ·Iron County ·2017 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Lake Herring

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

❄️ Lake Herring is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.

🛡 Lake Herring Conservation Status

The daily bag limit is 5 inland / 10 Great Lakes (combined with Lake & Ro.

🌿 Lake Herring Habitat & Behavior

Open, cold, deep waters of the Great Lakes and a few large, deep inland lakes. Schooling fish that follow forage and temperature gradients. Most accessible from shore during late fall and winter spawning congregations. DNR records show Lake Herring present in 60 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Antrim, Allegan and Cheboygan counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec. Lake Herring is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.

🎣 Best Lake Herring Techniques

Small jigging spoons or live minnows fished at depth — concentrate near spawning areas in late November and December

🪱 Best Lake Herring Baits

Small jigging spoons, emerald shiners, small minnows, ice flies

📋 Lake Herring Fishing Regulations in Michigan

5 inland / 10 Great Lakes (combined with Lake & Ro
Daily limit
10 inland / 20 Great Lakes
Possession limit
Year-round
Season

Cisco (Lake Herring) are counted within a combined limit with Lake Whitefish and Round Whitefish — 5/day on inland waters, 10/day on Great Lakes and connecting waters. Exception: Indiana Lake in Cass County prohibits possession of cisco.

⚠️ 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 Lake Herring in Michigan

Lake County Population
Arbutus Lake
510 acres
 Grand Traverse Good
Bear Lake
3,350 acres
 Manistee Good
Big Twin Lake
210 acres
 Wexford Good
Black Lake
10,130 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Burt Lake
17,120 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Charlevoix Lake
17,260 acres
 Charlevoix Good
Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron Cheboygan Good
Crooked Lake
650 acres
 Emmet Good
Croton Pond
1,605 acres
 Newaygo Good
Crystal Lake
9,854 acres
 Benzie Good
Douglas Lake
3,400 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Elk Lake
7,793 acres
 Antrim Good
Elk Lake
7,793 acres
 Antrim Good
Fremont Lake
1,700 acres
 Newaygo Good
Glen Lake
4,944 acres
 Leelanau Good
Hamlin Lake
5,000 acres
 Mason Good
Hardy Pond
4,025 acres
 Newaygo Good
Higgins Lake
9,600 acres
 Roscommon Good
Intermediate Lake
682 acres
 Antrim Good
Lake Ann
176 acres
 Benzie Good
Michigan Fishing DNR Stocking Record Verified Data
SpeciesLake Herring
Quantity153,008 fish
StockedJun 18, 2021
Size at stocking2.7"
Lake Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron, Cheboygan Co.

📋 Lake Herring 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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Oct 5, 2021 Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron Cheboygan 15,101 3.9"
Oct 5, 2021 Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron Cheboygan 12,371 3.5"
Jun 28, 2021 Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron Cheboygan 77,202 3.2"
Jun 23, 2021 Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron Cheboygan 152,419 2.4"
Jun 21, 2021 Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron Cheboygan 75,021 2.9"
Jun 18, 2021 Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron Cheboygan 153,008 2.7"
Jun 14, 2021 Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron Cheboygan 87,446 3.0"
May 4, 2020 Lake Michigan Antrim 3,191 6.2"
May 4, 2020 Lake Michigan Allegan 3,191 6.2"
May 1, 2020 Lake Michigan Antrim 6,456 6.2"
May 1, 2020 Lake Michigan Allegan 6,456 6.2"
Apr 30, 2020 Lake Michigan Allegan 6,454 6.2"
Most valuable for Lake Herring anglers
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Full stocking history across all 7 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 Lake Herring next — view the stocking forecast →

📋 Quick Lake Herring Facts

🔗 Resources

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

💡 Angler Tips for Lake Herring

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