Rainbow Trout Introduced
🔬 Oncorhynchus mykiss
Stocked heavily by MDNR in many Michigan streams and lakes.
🎣 Plan Your Trip with Fishing Pro
Unlimited trip planning & stocking alerts · $4.99/mo · Cancel anytime
Bite this month
Good
Best season
Spring, Fall
Keeper size
10" at ~2 yrs
Regulations
15" min · limit 5
Where to Catch Rainbow Trout in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
|
Big Twin Lake
210 acres
|
Wexford | |
|
Black Lake
10,130 acres
|
Cheboygan | |
|
Lake Ann
176 acres
|
Benzie | |
|
Walled Lake
640 acres
|
Oakland | |
| Ackerman Lake | Alger | |
| Ada Township Park Pond | ||
| Albany Creek | Chippewa | |
| Algoe Lake | Lapeer | |
| Allans Lake (LaFarge Quarry) | ||
| Allen Lake | ||
| Andrus Lake | ||
| Ankadosh Creek | Chippewa | |
| Anna River | Alger | |
| Appleton Lake | ||
|
Arbutus Lake
510 acres
|
Grand Traverse | |
| Au Sable River | Iosco | |
| Au Sable River | Oscoda | |
| Au Sable River | Crawford | |
| Au Train River | Alger | |
| AuGres | Arenac |
Rainbow Trout Conservation Status
Introduced Rainbow Trout was introduced to Michigan and is now an established part of the fishery. Native to Pacific drainages. Introduced to Michigan in the 1800s and now a cornerstone of MDNR's stocking program. Not harmful in managed trout streams and lakes. Michigan requires a minimum length of 15" to keep. The daily bag limit is 5.
Rainbow Trout Habitat & Behavior
Cold, well-oxygenated streams and lakes. MDNR stocks heavily in rivers, inland lakes, and Great Lakes tributaries. DNR records show Rainbow Trout present in 606 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Crawford, Cheboygan and Roscommon counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec.
Best Rainbow Trout Techniques
Spinners, egg sacs, worms: drift fishing in streams
Best Rainbow Trout Baits
Spawn sacs, egg flies, Kwikfish plugs, night crawlers, small spoons
Rainbow Trout Fishing Regulations in Michigan
15"
Minimum size
5
Daily limit
10
Possession limit
Year-round on most streams (check specific river regs)
Season
Lake-run steelhead peak spring and fall. Stream regulations vary widely: some rivers have catch-and-release only sections or special size limits.
⚠️ 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.
Michigan DNR Rainbow Trout Stocking Records
Rainbow Trout Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 3, 2026 | Escanaba River Delta County | Delta | 600 | 10.5" |
| Aug 24, 2026 | Hiawatha Club Pond | 1,000 total | 15" | |
| Aug 24, 2026 | stocking event | 200 | 15" | |
| Jul 21, 2026 | stocking event | 200 | 15" | |
| Jun 23, 2026 | stocking event | 600 | 15" | |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Private Pond | 500 | 10" | |
| Jul 23, 2026 | St. Marys River Chippewa County | Chippewa | 1,000 | 11" |
| Jun 13, 2026 | Castle Rock Pond | 400 | 11" | |
| Jun 12, 2026 | Clinton River (above Yates Dam) Oakland County | Oakland | 675 | 12" |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Warner Creek | 300 | 13.5" | |
| Jun 4, 2026 | Pendills Creek | 300 | 12.4" | |
| Jun 1, 2026 | Au Sable River Oscoda County | Oscoda | 5,076 | 7.7" |
| May 28, 2026 | Whitefish River Delta County | Delta | 11,799 | 7.4" |
| May 28, 2026 | Chocolay River Marquette County | Marquette | 11,797 | 7.4" |
| May 28, 2026 | East Branch Ontonagon River Iron County | Iron | 20,955 | 7.7" |
| May 27, 2026 | Foch Lakes | 50 | 13" | |
| May 27, 2026 | Wolverine Lake Oakland County | Oakland | 334 | 7.8" |
| May 26, 2026 | Cedar River Antrim County | Antrim | 15,998 | 7.6" |
| May 26, 2026 | Carp River Mackinac County | Mackinac | 13,799 total | 7.8" |
| May 26, 2026 | stocking event | 8,999 | 7.8" | |
| May 26, 2026 | stocking event | 4,800 | 7.8" | |
| May 26, 2026 | Cedar River Menominee County | Menominee | 15,998 | 7.6" |
| May 26, 2026 | Carp River Marquette County | Marquette | 13,799 total | 7.8" |
| May 26, 2026 | stocking event | 8,999 | 7.8" | |
| May 26, 2026 | stocking event | 4,800 | 7.8" | |
| May 21, 2026 | Tamarack Creek Montcalm County | Montcalm | 4,900 total | 6.6" |
| May 21, 2026 | stocking event | 1,300 | 6.6" | |
| May 21, 2026 | stocking event | 2,700 | 6.6" | |
| May 21, 2026 | stocking event | 900 | 6.6" |
Showing the 25 most recent stocking events for Rainbow Trout, across 19 lakes. Lakes with several events can be expanded.
Rainbow Trout DNR Stocking History
Total stocked: 160,979,673
Stocking events: 15,919
Peak year: 1988 (5,682,720)
15,919
Historical stocking events
488
Lakes stocked
Apr
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Apr
May
Jun
Top Stocked Lakes
Muskegon River
Roscommon Co.
Au Sable River
Oscoda Co.
Au Sable River
Crawford Co.
Muskegon River
Clare Co.
Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron
Cheboygan Co.
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Estimated Mature Rainbow Trout, October
Based on DNR stocking records from 2023–2025 (1–3 years ago), these 15 lakes likely hold mature Rainbow Trout at or near 10" keeper size today.
1
Manistee River
~165,400
est. mature
→
2
Manistee River
~165,400
est. mature
→
3
Muskegon River
~132,400
est. mature
→
4
Muskegon River
~129,600
est. mature
→
5
Au Sable River
~115,400
est. mature
→
6
Au Sable River
~115,400
est. mature
→
7
Saint Joseph River
~100,100
est. mature
→
8
Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron
~97,900
est. mature
→
9
Huron River
~55,000
est. mature
→
10
Crystal Lake
~51,300
est. mature
→
11
Rifle River
~47,000
est. mature
→
12
Rifle River
~47,000
est. mature
→
13
Huron River
~41,400
est. mature
→
14
Clinton River (above Yates Dam)
~28,800
est. mature
→
15
Manistique River
~26,800
est. mature
→
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 Rainbow Trout
Angler Tips for Rainbow Trout
No tips yet for this species. Sign in to share tips and photos.
Be the first to share an angler tip
Sign in to share a tip