Fathead Minnow
🔬 Pimephales promelas
The most widely used commercial baitfish in North America. Hardy, easy to raise, and effective bait. Found in warm, tolerant habitats statewide. Most bait shop "minnows" are Fatheads.
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Where to Catch Fathead Minnow in Michigan
Fathead Minnow Habitat & Behavior
DNR records show Fathead Minnow present in 1313 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Schoolcraft, Lake and Marquette counties.
Michigan DNR Fathead Minnow Stocking Records
Fathead Minnow Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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| May 10, 2024 | Cook Lake | Alger | 13,750 | 2.0" |
| Nov 8, 2023 | Lake Ogemaw | 7,500 | 2.5" | |
| Jun 6, 2023 | Hasler Creek | 4,400 | 2.0" | |
| Jun 6, 2023 | Hasler Creek | 17,600 | 2.0" | |
| Apr 29, 2023 | Thread Creek | 2,041 | 2.5" | |
| Nov 29, 2022 | Lake Bel Air | 6,000 | 2.4" | |
| Nov 23, 2022 | Big Clinton Lake | 15,000 | 2.4" | |
| Nov 21, 2022 | Cedar Lake | Leelanau | 15,000 | 2.4" |
| Nov 21, 2022 | Cedar Lake | Lapeer | 15,000 | 2.4" |
| Nov 8, 2022 | Big Blue Lake | Muskegon | 1,560 | 1.5" |
| Nov 8, 2022 | Shamrock Lake | Clare | 15,000 | 2.0" |
| Nov 7, 2022 | Lake Isabella | 75,000 | 1.5" | |
Most valuable for Fathead Minnow anglers
See where Fathead Minnow will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 106 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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241
Historical stocking events
106
Lakes stocked
Oct
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
May
Oct
Nov
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Fathead Minnow next season.
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Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
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