Bankson Lake fishing

Bankson Lake fishing 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.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
October 31, 2024
· Muskellunge
Plants on record
59
Since 1979
Species recorded
3
Surface acres
363.7

Fish at Bankson Lake

3 stocked · 0 confirmed present

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 Stocked · 53 plants · last October 31, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked October 31, 2024 · 53 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Muskellunge species guide
Walleye Stocked · 5 plants · last August 12, 1993 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked August 12, 1993 · 5 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 1 plant · last November 6, 1992 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked November 6, 1992 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, dusk

Largemouth Bass species guide

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. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

How Bankson Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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

Fish stocked in 1979

2,000

Fish stocked in 1980

2,000

Fish stocked in 1981

4,000

Fish stocked in 1982

2,495

Fish stocked in 1983

4,092

Fish stocked in 1984

2,094

Fish stocked in 1986

3,982

Fish stocked in 1987

3,195

Fish stocked in 1989

1,146

Fish stocked in 1990

1,061

Fish stocked in 1991

686

Fish stocked in 1992

8,411

Fish stocked in 1993

575

Fish stocked in 1994

876

Fish stocked in 1996

32

Fish stocked in 1997

925

Fish stocked in 1999

875

Fish stocked in 2001

100

Fish stocked in 2003

21

Fish stocked in 2004

748

Fish stocked in 2006

649

Fish stocked in 2008

650

Fish stocked in 2013

326

Fish stocked in 2015

434

Fish stocked in 2017

436

Fish stocked in 2019

326

Fish stocked in 2021

322

Fish stocked in 2024

326

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
October 31, 2024Muskellunge326–report
September 29, 2021Muskellunge322–report
September 25, 2019Muskellunge326–report
October 20, 2017Muskellunge436–report
September 16, 2015Muskellunge434–report
September 11, 2013Muskellunge326–report
October 28, 2008Muskellunge650–report
October 20, 2006Muskellunge649–report
November 2, 2004Muskellunge686–report
October 25, 2004Muskellunge62–report
September 17, 2003Muskellunge21–report
October 17, 2001Muskellunge100–report
September 15, 1999Muskellunge875–report
September 22, 1997Muskellunge925–report
September 12, 1996Muskellunge32–report
September 29, 1994Muskellunge714–report
August 18, 1994Muskellunge159–report
August 18, 1994Muskellunge3–report
August 12, 1993Walleye575–report
November 6, 1992Largemouth Bass102–report
September 9, 1992Muskellunge69–report
September 3, 1992Muskellunge220–report
July 31, 1992Muskellunge18–report
July 24, 1992Muskellunge82–report
July 9, 1992Walleye7,770–report
July 9, 1992Muskellunge150–report
August 16, 1991Muskellunge28–report
August 8, 1991Muskellunge30–report
July 26, 1991Muskellunge222–report
July 24, 1991Muskellunge406–report
October 31, 1990Muskellunge41–report
August 3, 1990Muskellunge268–report
August 2, 1990Muskellunge599–report
July 25, 1990Muskellunge153–report
August 7, 1989Muskellunge1,000–report
August 3, 1989Muskellunge146–report
October 13, 1987Muskellunge3,114–report
April 11, 1987Walleye81–report
October 30, 1986Muskellunge46–report
October 30, 1986Walleye150–report
October 29, 1986Walleye378–report
October 29, 1986Muskellunge965–report
October 28, 1986Muskellunge460–report
July 29, 1986Muskellunge1,015–report
July 24, 1986Muskellunge650–report
July 17, 1986Muskellunge318–report
October 10, 1984Muskellunge2,094–report
August 10, 1983Muskellunge1,621–report
August 10, 1983Muskellunge1,536–report
August 4, 1983Muskellunge535–report
August 1, 1983Muskellunge400–report
August 10, 1982Muskellunge482–report
August 10, 1982Muskellunge2,013–report
August 11, 1981Muskellunge1,451–report
August 10, 1981Muskellunge2,549–report
September 5, 1980Muskellunge1,273–report
August 15, 1980Muskellunge727–report
August 16, 1979Muskellunge850–report
August 15, 1979Muskellunge1,150–report

Access and facts

Nearest town
Lawton
Facilities
restrooms

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Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.

About Bankson Lake

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. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

Nearest lakes

Huzzy Lake 1.6 mi last stocked April 11, 1991 Cedar Lake 2.9 mi last stocked October 29, 2025 Maple Lake 8.9 mi last stocked June 3, 2016 Hampton Lake 9.7 mi last stocked April 1, 1983 Wolf Lake 12.4 mi last stocked November 1, 2006

Common questions

What fish are at Bankson Lake?

Fishing Bankson Lake usually means Muskellunge: Muskellunge accounts for 53 of 59 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and one more. Muskellunge was last stocked October 31, 2024. Walleye was last stocked August 12, 1993. Largemouth Bass was last stocked November 6, 1992.

When is Bankson Lake stocked?

Last stocked October 31, 2024. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 1979, most often in August and October. About 118 reported fish per acre, 8th most of 12 lakes in Van Buren County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 18 years between 1979 and 2024.

How do you get on Bankson Lake?

The nearest town is Lawton. Facilities include restrooms.

Which lakes near Bankson Lake were stocked more recently?

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

Sources (2) +