Bear Lake fishing

Bear Lake fishing has Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 1990, most often in October and November. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brook Trout and Brown Trout and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.

Bear Lake
Photo: USFS - Hiawatha National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
Last stocked
December 2, 2024
· Brook Trout
Plants on record
56
Since 1990
Species recorded
3
Surface acres
29

Fish at Bear Lake

3 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Around the dates Bear Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 48.3°F in October, 34.9°F in November, 37.8°F in April, 62°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Brook Trout Stocked · 53 plants · last December 2, 2024 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked December 2, 2024 · 53 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brook Trout species guide
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 2 plants · last June 16, 1997 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked June 16, 1997 · 2 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 1 plant · last June 16, 1997 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked June 16, 1997 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide

How Bear Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

About 1,933 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 8 lakes in Delta County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1990

3,900

Fish stocked in 1991

3,150

Fish stocked in 1992

4,600

Fish stocked in 1993

2,600

Fish stocked in 1994

3,300

Fish stocked in 1995

3,000

Fish stocked in 1996

4,956

Fish stocked in 1997

2,898

Fish stocked in 1998

3,000

Fish stocked in 1999

3,000

Fish stocked in 2000

1,900

Fish stocked in 2001

2,300

Fish stocked in 2002

2,500

Fish stocked in 2003

2,074

Fish stocked in 2004

1,697

Fish stocked in 2005

1,695

Fish stocked in 2006

2,000

Fish stocked in 2007

1,497

Fish stocked in 2008

1,940

Fish stocked in 2009

2,664

Fish stocked in 2010

440

Fish stocked in 2011

100

Fish stocked in 2012

200

Fish stocked in 2014

85

Fish stocked in 2016

100

Fish stocked in 2018

101

Fish stocked in 2019

70

Fish stocked in 2020

105

Fish stocked in 2022

55

Fish stocked in 2024

116

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
December 2, 2024Brook Trout116–report
November 28, 2022Brook Trout55–report
December 21, 2020Brook Trout105–report
November 26, 2019Brook Trout70–report
October 26, 2018Brook Trout101–report
November 18, 2016Brook Trout100–report
October 23, 2014Brook Trout85–report
December 3, 2012Brook Trout200–report
November 8, 2011Brook Trout100–report
October 13, 2010Brook Trout148–report
October 13, 2010Brook Trout292–report
November 5, 2009Brook Trout299–report
November 5, 2009Brook Trout299–report
April 24, 2009Brook Trout69–report
April 24, 2009Brook Trout399–report
April 24, 2009Brook Trout1,598–report
November 25, 2008Brook Trout100–report
November 25, 2008Brook Trout200–report
April 28, 2008Brook Trout42–report
April 28, 2008Brook Trout1,598–report
April 19, 2007Brook Trout1,497–report
November 21, 2006Brook Trout600–report
April 17, 2006Brook Trout1,400–report
April 20, 2005Brook Trout1,695–report
April 27, 2004Brook Trout1,697–report
November 26, 2003Brook Trout88–report
November 26, 2003Brook Trout59–report
November 20, 2003Brook Trout230–report
May 12, 2003Brook Trout1,697–report
October 16, 2002Brook Trout500–report
June 25, 2002Brook Trout300–report
May 15, 2002Brook Trout1,700–report
September 26, 2001Brook Trout600–report
May 31, 2001Brook Trout1,700–report
June 5, 2000Brook Trout100–report
June 5, 2000Brook Trout100–report
April 19, 2000Brook Trout1,700–report
October 5, 1999Brook Trout2,600–report
June 17, 1999Brook Trout400–report
October 29, 1998Brook Trout3,000–report
October 20, 1997Brook Trout2,600–report
June 16, 1997Brook Trout2–report
June 16, 1997Brown Trout35–report
June 16, 1997Rainbow Trout261–report
October 15, 1996Brook Trout3,000–report
June 25, 1996Rainbow Trout1,956–report
October 17, 1995Brook Trout3,000–report
November 2, 1994Brook Trout3,000–report
May 27, 1994Brook Trout300–report
October 6, 1993Brook Trout2,600–report
October 1, 1992Brook Trout2,600–report
June 29, 1992Brook Trout2,000–report
October 8, 1991Brook Trout2,600–report
June 13, 1991Brook Trout550–report
October 8, 1990Brook Trout2,600–report
May 31, 1990Brook Trout1,300–report

Access and facts

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

About Bear Lake

Photo of Bear Lake
USFS - Hiawatha National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)

Nearest lakes

Carr Lake 0.6 mi last stocked September 6, 1979 Square Lake 0.6 mi last stocked May 31, 1996 Banana Lake 0.7 mi last stocked May 11, 2026 Thunder Lake 2.3 mi last stocked June 20, 2024 Gooseneck Lake 2.4 mi last stocked June 22, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Bear Lake?

Fishing Bear Lake usually means Brook Trout: Brook Trout accounts for 53 of 56 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and one more. Brook Trout was last stocked December 2, 2024. Rainbow Trout was last stocked June 16, 1997. Brown Trout was last stocked June 16, 1997.

When is Bear Lake stocked?

Last stocked December 2, 2024. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 1990, most often in October and November. About 1,933 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 8 lakes in Delta County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2023.

Which lakes near Bear Lake were stocked more recently?

Banana Lake (0.7 mi) and Gooseneck Lake (2.4 mi) were stocked more recently. Banana Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.