Bankson Lake fishing

Fishing at Bankson Lake has Muskellunge, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 1979, most often in August and October. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge and Largemouth Bass and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye.

Last stocked

October 31, 2024

Plants on record

59

Since 1979

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

363.7

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
restrooms

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane serves the lake. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Bankson Lake is stocked

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

No plants recorded in 18 years between 1979 and 2024.

About 118 reported fish per acre, 8th most of 12 lakes in Van Buren County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Cedar Lake (2.9 mi) was stocked more recently. Cedar Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Bankson Lake

Fishing Bankson Lake is most likely to be for Muskellunge. Muskellunge accounts for 53 of 59 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and one more.

Around the dates Bankson Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 71.1°F in August, 53.5°F in October, 65.7°F in September, 72.7°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Muskellunge 53 plants
Plants
53 of 59
Last stocked
October 31, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Walleye 5 plants
Plants
5 of 59
Last stocked
August 12, 1993

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Largemouth Bass 1 plant
Plants
1 of 59
Last stocked
November 6, 1992

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Fishing Bankson Lake

Bankson Lake is a 217-acre all-sports lake in Van Buren County, Michigan, well stocked with sport fish, including walleye and Muskies. The lake also supports a good population of native purebred Muskies. It has served as a premier source for female musky eggs in Southwest Michigan. These eggs are used to produce hybrid Tiger Muskies when crossed with northern pike milt.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

Bankson Lake experiences water-table dependent depth fluctuations. Historical lows in the late 1940s left a sandbar completely dry toward the eastern end, which later had three feet of water over it as of 2009. This suggests potential changes in water levels and submerged hazards for anglers.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,0001979
  • 2,0001980
  • 4,0001981
  • 2,4951982
  • 4,0921983
  • 2,0941984
  • 3,9821986
  • 3,1951987
  • 1,1461989
  • 1,0611990
  • 6861991
  • 8,4111992
  • 5751993
  • 8761994
  • 321996
  • 9251997
  • 8751999
  • 1002001
  • 212003
  • 7482004
  • 6492006
  • 6502008
  • 3262013
  • 4342015
  • 4362017
  • 3262019
  • 3222021
  • 3262024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 59 plants Showing 59 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
October 31, 2024 Muskellunge 326 – report
September 29, 2021 Muskellunge 322 – report
September 25, 2019 Muskellunge 326 – report
October 20, 2017 Muskellunge 436 – report
September 16, 2015 Muskellunge 434 – report
September 11, 2013 Muskellunge 326 – report
October 28, 2008 Muskellunge 650 – report
October 20, 2006 Muskellunge 649 – report
November 2, 2004 Muskellunge 686 – report
October 25, 2004 Muskellunge 62 – report
September 17, 2003 Muskellunge 21 – report
October 17, 2001 Muskellunge 100 – report
September 15, 1999 Muskellunge 875 – report
September 22, 1997 Muskellunge 925 – report
September 12, 1996 Muskellunge 32 – report
September 29, 1994 Muskellunge 714 – report
August 18, 1994 Muskellunge 159 – report
August 18, 1994 Muskellunge 3 – report
August 12, 1993 Walleye 575 – report
November 6, 1992 Largemouth Bass 102 – report
September 9, 1992 Muskellunge 69 – report
September 3, 1992 Muskellunge 220 – report
July 31, 1992 Muskellunge 18 – report
July 24, 1992 Muskellunge 82 – report
July 9, 1992 Walleye 7,770 – report
July 9, 1992 Muskellunge 150 – report
August 16, 1991 Muskellunge 28 – report
August 8, 1991 Muskellunge 30 – report
July 26, 1991 Muskellunge 222 – report
July 24, 1991 Muskellunge 406 – report
October 31, 1990 Muskellunge 41 – report
August 3, 1990 Muskellunge 268 – report
August 2, 1990 Muskellunge 599 – report
July 25, 1990 Muskellunge 153 – report
August 7, 1989 Muskellunge 1,000 – report
August 3, 1989 Muskellunge 146 – report
October 13, 1987 Muskellunge 3,114 – report
April 11, 1987 Walleye 81 – report
October 30, 1986 Muskellunge 46 – report
October 30, 1986 Walleye 150 – report
October 29, 1986 Walleye 378 – report
October 29, 1986 Muskellunge 965 – report
October 28, 1986 Muskellunge 460 – report
July 29, 1986 Muskellunge 1,015 – report
July 24, 1986 Muskellunge 650 – report
July 17, 1986 Muskellunge 318 – report
October 10, 1984 Muskellunge 2,094 – report
August 10, 1983 Muskellunge 1,621 – report
August 10, 1983 Muskellunge 1,536 – report
August 4, 1983 Muskellunge 535 – report
August 1, 1983 Muskellunge 400 – report
August 10, 1982 Muskellunge 482 – report
August 10, 1982 Muskellunge 2,013 – report
August 11, 1981 Muskellunge 1,451 – report
August 10, 1981 Muskellunge 2,549 – report
September 5, 1980 Muskellunge 1,273 – report
August 15, 1980 Muskellunge 727 – report
August 16, 1979 Muskellunge 850 – report
August 15, 1979 Muskellunge 1,150 – report
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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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