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

Golden Creek

Iron

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

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

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📦4 🐟76

Cooks Run

Iron

American Brook Lamprey Barred Fantail Darter Bigmouth Shiner Blacknose Shiner +68 more

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

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📦3 🐟72

Michigamme Reservoir

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +35 more

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

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📦3 🐟39

Dawson Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +32 more

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

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📦2 🐟36

Holmes Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +31 more

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

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📦2 🐟35

Paint Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +34 more

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

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📦2 🐟38

Chamberlain Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +32 more

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

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📦1 🐟36

Fence River

Iron

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

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

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📦1 🐟79

Bass Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +31 more

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

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🐟35

Bela Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +29 more

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

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🐟33

Bone Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +33 more

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

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🐟37

Bush Creek

Iron

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

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

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🐟75

Caspian Pit

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +32 more

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

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🐟36

Chief Edwards Lake/Violet Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +32 more

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

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🐟36

Deadman's Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Brook Trout +28 more

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

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🐟32

Deer Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +33 more

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

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🐟37

Ebony Lake

Iron

Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Central Mudminnow +29 more

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

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🐟33

Erickson Lake

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +33 more

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

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🐟37

Fence River, West Branch

Iron

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

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

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🐟76

Fortune Chain, One

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +35 more

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

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🐟39

Fortune Lake , Three

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +33 more

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

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🐟37

Fortune Lake, Two

Iron

Black Crappie Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside +34 more

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

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🐟38

Hannah Webb

Iron

Bluegill Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +30 more

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

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🐟34

Harding Lake

Iron

Black Crappie Bluntnose Minnow Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback +29 more

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

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Michigan Lake Finder

Iron County Lakes