Appleton Lake fishing

Fishing at Appleton Lake has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about once a year since 1979, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

May 1, 2019

Plants on record

39

Since 1979

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

57.2

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane serves the lake. Administered by Brighton State Recreation Area; a Recreation Passport is required. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Appleton Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of April. In 2019 it was May 1, 2019, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 1999, 2000, and 2008.

About 2,449 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 8 lakes in Livingston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Zukey Lake (4 mi), Woodland Lake (4.1 mi), Lake Chemung (5.1 mi), Spring Mill Pond (5.8 mi), and Whitmore Lake (7 mi) were stocked more recently. Spring Mill Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Fish at Appleton Lake

Fishing Appleton Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. All 39 plants on record are Rainbow Trout.

Around the dates Appleton Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 46.4°F in April, 58.7°F in May, 37.2°F in March, 69.2°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout 39 plants
Plants
39 of 39
Last stocked
May 1, 2019

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 5,6001979
  • 5,6001980
  • 4,5001981
  • 4,2001982
  • 5,9201983
  • 2,7001984
  • 2,3801985
  • 5,6001986
  • 5,6001987
  • 5,6001988
  • 5,6001989
  • 5,5861990
  • 4,7001991
  • 8,2481992
  • 2,6491993
  • 2,9781994
  • 2,9101995
  • 2,8691996
  • 2,8681997
  • 2,7701998
  • 2,8002001
  • 2,8302002
  • 2,8752003
  • 2,9962004
  • 2,9982005
  • 2,8002006
  • 2,8992007
  • 2,8982009
  • 2,7952010
  • 2,8002011
  • 2,8002012
  • 2,8002013
  • 2,8002014
  • 2,8992015
  • 2,7992016
  • 2,8022017
  • 2,8002018
  • 2,8212019

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 39 plants Showing 39 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 2,821 – report
May 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 2,800 – report
April 26, 2017 Rainbow Trout 2,802 – report
March 21, 2016 Rainbow Trout 2,799 – report
April 28, 2015 Rainbow Trout 2,899 – report
April 16, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,800 – report
May 8, 2013 Rainbow Trout 2,800 – report
April 9, 2012 Rainbow Trout 2,800 – report
April 13, 2011 Rainbow Trout 2,800 – report
April 12, 2010 Rainbow Trout 2,795 – report
April 27, 2009 Rainbow Trout 2,898 – report
April 3, 2007 Rainbow Trout 2,899 – report
April 5, 2006 Rainbow Trout 2,800 – report
April 13, 2005 Rainbow Trout 2,998 – report
April 7, 2004 Rainbow Trout 2,996 – report
April 23, 2003 Rainbow Trout 2,875 – report
April 1, 2002 Rainbow Trout 2,830 – report
April 3, 2001 Rainbow Trout 2,800 – report
April 16, 1998 Rainbow Trout 2,770 – report
April 15, 1997 Rainbow Trout 2,868 – report
April 29, 1996 Rainbow Trout 2,869 – report
May 11, 1995 Rainbow Trout 2,910 – report
May 4, 1994 Rainbow Trout 2,978 – report
April 13, 1993 Rainbow Trout 2,649 – report
September 24, 1992 Rainbow Trout 8,248 – report
April 18, 1991 Rainbow Trout 4,700 – report
April 26, 1990 Rainbow Trout 5,586 – report
May 17, 1989 Rainbow Trout 5,600 – report
April 13, 1988 Rainbow Trout 5,600 – report
April 28, 1987 Rainbow Trout 5,600 – report
April 29, 1986 Rainbow Trout 5,600 – report
May 29, 1985 Rainbow Trout 2,380 – report
May 9, 1984 Rainbow Trout 2,700 – report
June 9, 1983 Rainbow Trout 3,120 – report
April 26, 1983 Rainbow Trout 2,800 – report
April 21, 1982 Rainbow Trout 4,200 – report
April 21, 1981 Rainbow Trout 4,500 – report
April 22, 1980 Rainbow Trout 5,600 – report
April 25, 1979 Rainbow Trout 5,600 – report
Show 24 more plants Show less

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes