Austin Lake fishing

Fishing at Austin Lake has Tiger Muskie and Muskellunge on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.6 times a year since 1979, most often in August and October. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

November 13, 2024

Plants on record

29

Since 1979

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

1,102.1

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms

A public boat launch charges a $6 daily fee; no alcohol allowed on the water. A DNR-listed public boating access site with 2 launch lanes serves the lake. Administered by Fort Custer State Recreation Area. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee , shore_notes , access

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How Austin Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of September. In 2024 it was October 31, 2024, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 25 years between 1979 and 2024.

About 80 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 4 lakes in Kalamazoo County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Austin Lake

Fishing Austin Lake is most likely to be for Tiger Muskie. Tiger Muskie accounts for 18 of 29 plants on record, ahead of Muskellunge.

Around the dates Austin Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 71.1°F in August, 53.4°F in October, 40°F in November, 65.5°F in September. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Tiger Muskie 18 plants
Plants
18 of 29
Last stocked
October 8, 1991

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Muskellunge 11 plants
Plants
11 of 29
Last stocked
November 13, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,0001979
  • 2,0001980
  • 4,0001981
  • 3,9001982
  • 3,0001983
  • 6,0181984
  • 2,4001985
  • 4,5001986
  • 35,2081987
  • 2,7001988
  • 4,0001989
  • 3,4001990
  • 4,0001991
  • 1,5502000
  • 1,1952002
  • 1,0112012
  • 8712013
  • 1,4402015
  • 1,5552018
  • 2,0762022
  • 1,5502024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 29 plants Showing 29 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
November 13, 2024 Muskellunge 1,211 – report
October 31, 2024 Muskellunge 339 – report
November 9, 2022 Muskellunge 2,076 – report
November 13, 2018 Muskellunge 459 – report
November 2, 2018 Muskellunge 1,096 – report
November 10, 2015 Muskellunge 1,440 – report
September 11, 2013 Muskellunge 871 – report
November 8, 2012 Muskellunge 465 – report
November 1, 2012 Muskellunge 546 – report
October 2, 2002 Muskellunge 1,195 – report
October 4, 2000 Muskellunge 1,550 – report
October 8, 1991 Tiger Muskie 4,000 – report
September 25, 1990 Tiger Muskie 3,400 – report
September 19, 1989 Tiger Muskie 4,000 – report
September 28, 1988 Tiger Muskie 2,700 – report
October 1, 1987 Tiger Muskie 2,000 – report
September 29, 1987 Tiger Muskie 1,208 – report
May 16, 1987 Tiger Muskie 32,000 – report
October 15, 1986 Tiger Muskie 1,500 – report
October 13, 1986 Tiger Muskie 3,000 – report
August 12, 1985 Tiger Muskie 2,400 – report
August 22, 1984 Tiger Muskie 3,400 – report
June 4, 1984 Tiger Muskie 2,618 – report
August 9, 1983 Tiger Muskie 1,000 – report
August 3, 1983 Tiger Muskie 2,000 – report
August 3, 1982 Tiger Muskie 3,900 – report
August 11, 1981 Tiger Muskie 4,000 – report
August 13, 1980 Tiger Muskie 2,000 – report
July 20, 1979 Tiger Muskie 2,000 – report
Show 14 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.

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