How many lakes are in Michigan?

Michigan has over 2,019 documented lakes, ponds, and water bodies in our database. Combined with four of the five Great Lakes and over 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, Michigan offers more freshwater fishing access than virtually anywhere else in the country.

Which Michigan lake has the most DNR stocking history?

Lake Michigan in Allegan County leads with 2,696 recorded stocking events in the DNR database. Lakes with long stocking histories are generally excellent targets for trout, salmon, and walleye.

What fish are stocked in Michigan lakes?

The Michigan DNR stocks over a dozen species in inland lakes — primarily rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, chinook salmon, coho salmon, walleye, and muskellunge. Each lake page on this site shows its full stocking history by species and year.

How do I find a good fishing lake in Michigan?

Use the search and filters above to narrow by county, fish species, or lake name. Lake cards show stocking event counts, species present, and boat launch availability. Sorting by stocking count surfaces the most actively managed fisheries.

Are Michigan lake stocking records public information?

Yes. The Michigan DNR publishes fish stocking records as public data. This site aggregates that data and makes it searchable by lake, county, species, and year. Historical records are available to all visitors.

Do I need a boat to fish Michigan lakes?

Not always. Many Michigan lakes have public shore fishing access, county parks, and DNR boating access sites with bank fishing areas. Each lake page lists available boat launches, including carry-in access points suitable for kayaks and canoes.

Search Michigan Fishing Lakes — DNR Stocking Records, Species & Boat Launches

East Branch Ontonagon River

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Crappie +80 more

East Branch Ontonagon River is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Lake Superior management unit).

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📦178 🐟84

Chicagon Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +41 more

Chicagon Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦131 🐟45

Golden Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +37 more

Golden Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦117 🐟41

Forest Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Brook Trout +32 more

Forest Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦80 🐟36

Norway Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +34 more

Norway Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦66 🐟38

Iron River

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Redhorse +76 more

Iron River is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦62 🐟80

Fortune Pond

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Brook Trout +29 more

Fortune Pond is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦56 🐟33

Lake Ellen

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +35 more

Lake Ellen is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦56 🐟39

Paint River

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Redhorse +75 more

Paint River is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦50 🐟79

Killdeer Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Brook Trout +28 more

Killdeer Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦49 🐟32

Madelyn Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Brook Trout +28 more

Madelyn Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦47 🐟32

Skyline Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Brook Trout +28 more

Skyline Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦45 🐟32

Timber Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Brook Trout +28 more

Timber Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦44 🐟32

Lake Emily

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +36 more

Lake Emily is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦38 🐟40

Little Smoky Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +39 more

Little Smoky Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦31 🐟43

Hagerman Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +34 more

Hagerman Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦30 🐟38

Lake Mary

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +34 more

Lake Mary is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦30 🐟38

Ice Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +35 more

Ice Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦29 🐟39

Michigamme River

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Crappie +82 more

Michigamme River is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦29 🐟86

Winslow Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +34 more

Winslow Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦28 🐟38

Stager Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +32 more

Stager Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦27 🐟36

Swan Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +38 more

Swan Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦24 🐟42

Silver Creek

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Redhorse +74 more

Silver Creek is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦22 🐟78

Runkle Lake

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Crappie +74 more

Runkle Lake is a fishing water in Iron County, Michigan (Northern Lake Michigan management unit).

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📦21 🐟78

Michigan Lake Finder

Iron County Lakes