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

Fire Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +35 more

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

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📦20 🐟39

Sunset Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +35 more

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

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📦20 🐟39

Camp Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +36 more

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

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📦18 🐟40

Crystal Falls Impoundment

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +36 more

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

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📦17 🐟40

Iron Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +34 more

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

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📦17 🐟38

Cable Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +35 more

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

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📦16 🐟39

James Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Central Mudminnow +32 more

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

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📦12 🐟36

Mitchell Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +33 more

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

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📦12 🐟37

Gibson Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +33 more

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

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📦11 🐟37

Glidden Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +31 more

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

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📦11 🐟35

Robinson Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +31 more

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

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📦11 🐟35

Brule Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +37 more

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

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📦10 🐟41

Railroad Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +35 more

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

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📦10 🐟39

Stanley Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Central Mudminnow +32 more

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

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📦10 🐟36

Buck Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +35 more

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

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📦9 🐟39

Hemlock River

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Redhorse +73 more

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

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📦9 🐟77

Wilson creek

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Redhorse +71 more

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

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📦8 🐟75

Deer River

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Redhorse +72 more

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

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📦7 🐟76

Snipe Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +31 more

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

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📦7 🐟35

Fortune Lake, Fourth

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +34 more

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

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📦6 🐟38

Ottawa Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +36 more

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

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📦5 🐟40

Smith Creek

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Redhorse +71 more

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

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📦5 🐟75

Tamarack Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +36 more

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

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📦5 🐟40

Brule River

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Black Redhorse +77 more

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

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📦4 🐟81

Michigan Lake Finder

Iron County Lakes