← Roscommon County

Houghton Lake

πŸ“ Roscommon County, Michigan

Michigan's largest inland lake. Excellent walleye and perch fishery. Multiple public launches and full amenities around the lake.

20,044
Acres
21 ft
Max depth
48
Fish species
3
Boat launches
βœ“
Public access
Conditions today C 54/100 Average conditions Last stocked Jun 17, 2011 Walleye, 15.4 years ago Keeper size (estimated) No estimate Not enough size data Access 3 boat launches Public access

πŸ“Š Fishing Conditions

The fishing conditions score rates how favorable Houghton Lake looks for the day you pick (today by default), from 0 to 100. It adds up five things: how recently the lake was stocked, the moon phase, the season, how many game and panfish species live here (such as atlantic salmon, walleye and yellow perch), and the size of the lake. It does not include the weather forecast. The cards below show how many points each factor contributed.

C
54/100
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Conditions score

Average conditions, fish are catchable but may be selective.

🎣 Stocking
Last stocked Jun 17, 2011
Last: Jun 17, 2011
πŸŒ— Moon Phase
Last Quarter
Feeding bonus
πŸƒ Season
Late Fall: fish fattening up
November
🐟 Species
19 game/panfish species: outstanding variety
Game & panfish
πŸ“ Lake Size
20,044 acres. Great Lake/large reservoir
Surface area

Fishing Tips for Houghton Lake Today

Fall fish at Houghton Lake are feeding heavily before winter. Match the forage: shad, crawfish, and perch patterns work well.

πŸ“Š Fishing Pressure

Fishing pressure is our estimate of how busy Houghton Lake is likely to be today. It looks at the day of the week, the time of year, and whether the lake has been stocked recently, because fresh stockings tend to draw anglers. Lower pressure usually means more room to work the water for atlantic salmon, walleye and yellow perch.

Moderate estimated pressure today
Weekend Popular stocking lake

Moderate activity expected. Midweek mornings are typically quieter.

Estimate based on day of week, season, and recent stocking. Not a live crowd count.

🐟 Fish Species in Houghton Lake

Atlantic Salmon Good
Salmo salar
Walleye Excellent
Sander vitreus
Yellow Perch Excellent
Perca flavescens
Black Crappie Good
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Bluegill Good
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish Good
Ictalurus punctatus
Largemouth Bass Good
Micropterus salmoides
Northern Pike Good
Esox lucius
White Crappie Good
Pomoxis annularis
Muskellunge Fair
Esox masquinongy
Gizzard Shad Good
Dorosoma cepedianum
Golden Shiner Good
Notemigonus crysoleucas
Bowfin Good
Amia calva
Brown Bullhead Good
Ameiurus nebulosus
Common Carp Good
Cyprinus carpio
Green Sunfish Good
Lepomis cyanellus
Longnose Gar Good
Lepisosteus osseus
Pumpkinseed Good
Lepomis gibbosus
White Bass Good
Morone chrysops
Bluntnose Minnow Good
Pimephales notatus
Brook Silverside Good
Labidesthes sicculus
Brook Stickleback Good
Culaea inconstans
Central Mudminnow Good
Umbra limi
Common Shiner Good
Luxilus cornutus
Emerald Shiner Good
Notropis atherinoides
Fathead Minnow Good
Pimephales promelas
Finescale Dace Good
Phoxinus neogaeus
Golden Redhorse Good
Moxostoma erythrurum
Goldfish Good
Carassius auratus
Lake Chub Good
Couesius plumbeus
Least Darter Good
Etheostoma microperca
Longnose Sucker Good
Catostomus catostomus
Mimic Shiner Good
Notropis volucellus
Mottled Sculpin Good
Cottus bairdii
Ninespine Stickleback Good
Pungitius pungitius
Northern Pearl Dace Good
Margariscus nachtriebi
Northern Redbelly Dace Good
Phoxinus eos
Quillback Good
Carpiodes cyprinus
Sand Shiner Good
Notropis stramineus
Shorthead Redhorse Good
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Silver Redhorse Good
Moxostoma anisurum
Slimy Sculpin Good
Cottus cognatus
Spotfin Shiner Good
Cyprinella spiloptera
Spottail Shiner Good
Notropis hudsonius
Threespine Stickleback Good
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Trout-Perch Good
Percopsis omiscomaycus
Western Banded Killifish Good
Fundulus diaphanus
White Sucker Good
Catostomus commersonii
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πŸ“… Best Time to Fish Houghton Lake

Combined bite activity across all 48 species in this lake.

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

πŸ“ Fishing Regulations

Statewide general rules for the species found here. Individual waters can have exceptions (special size limits, closed seasons, trout lake types), so check this lake's listing in the official DNR Fishing Guide before heading out.
SpeciesMin sizeDaily limit
Walleye15"5
Yellow PerchNone25
Black CrappieNone25 sunfish combined
BluegillNone25 sunfish combined
Channel Catfish12"10
Largemouth Bass14"5 bass combined
Northern Pike24"2
White CrappieNone25 sunfish combined
Muskellunge42"1 per license year (registration required)
Green SunfishNone25 sunfish combined
PumpkinseedNone25 sunfish combined
White BassNone10 inland / 25 Great Lakes

πŸ“‹ Houghton Lake Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity Size
Jun 17, 2011 Walleye 41,533 1.6"
Jun 14, 2011 Walleye 33,030 1.6"
Jun 8, 2011 Walleye 49,284 1.1"
Oct 11, 2006 Walleye 2,225 3.6"
Jun 17, 2005 Walleye 53,480 1.4"
Jun 16, 2005 Walleye 24,354 1.6"
Jun 15, 2005 Walleye 37,361 1.6"
Jun 14, 2005 Walleye 11,772 1.5"
Jun 10, 2005 Walleye 85,601 1.3"
Jun 22, 2004 Walleye 49,990 1.3"
Jun 15, 2004 Walleye 24,418 1.6"
Jun 15, 2001 Walleye 319,494 1.5"
Jun 17, 1999 Walleye 142,065 2.0"
Jun 16, 1999 Walleye 10,281 1.9"
Oct 14, 1995 Walleye 150 6.0"
Jul 6, 1995 Walleye 7,000 2.7"
Jun 23, 1994 Walleye 10,000 2.5"
Jul 22, 1993 Walleye 18,450 1.9"
Jul 8, 1993 Walleye 139,832 1.3"
Sep 12, 1991 Walleye 5,950 4.5"
Sep 6, 1991 Walleye 100 4.5"
Sep 4, 1991 Walleye 2,700 4.5"
Aug 29, 1991 Walleye 6,950 3.5"
Jun 19, 1991 Walleye 76,200 1.6"
Jun 18, 1991 Walleye 9,150 2.1"
Showing 25 of 56 stocking records, newest first

* Records shown are from our database. For the most current data, visit the Michigan DNR directly.

πŸ“… Stocking Forecast

Based on 56 historical stocking events at this lake. Next likely stocking window: Jun.
Peak Stocking Months
Jun Jul Aug
Most Stocked Species
Walleye

* Forecast is based on historical DNR data and is not a guarantee of future stocking.

βš“ Houghton Lake Boat Launches (3)

3 public access sites are listed for Houghton Lake. Select a launch for details. Details come from the Michigan DNR boating access data and can change, so check posted signs on site. See all Roscommon County boat launches.

Houghton Lake East Paved ramp Fee required 2 trailer lanes 32 parking
Amenities
Vault toilet, Boating pier, AIS signage
Hours
Open at all times
Phone
989-821-6374
Record updated
April 2026
Full details πŸ—Ί Directions
Houghton Lake South Paved ramp Fee required 6 trailer lanes 116 parking
Amenities
Vault toilet, Boating pier, AIS signage, Accessible pier
Hours
Open at all times
Phone
989-821-6125
Record updated
April 2026
Full details πŸ—Ί Directions
Houghton Lake West Paved ramp Fee required 6 trailer lanes 92 parking
Amenities
Vault toilet, Boating pier, AIS signage, Accessible pier
Hours
Open at all times
Phone
989-821-6125
Record updated
April 2026
Full details πŸ—Ί Directions

πŸ’‘ Angler Tips for Houghton Lake

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🌀 Current Houghton Lake Weather Conditions

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