Bear Lake fishing

Fishing at Bear Lake has Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 2006, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night as the active times.

Last stocked

June 30, 2026

Plants on record

14

Since 2006

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

1,874.8

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

Two DNR-listed public boating access sites serve the lake: a 2-lane ramp administered by Orchard Beach State Park (Recreation Passport required), and a 1-lane municipal ramp at the Village of Bear Lake's Hopkins Park. 2 toilets total on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities

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How Bear Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of June. In 2026 it was June 30, 2026, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 12 years between 2006 and 2026.

About 382 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 5 lakes in Manistee County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Bear Lake

Fishing Bear Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. All 14 plants on record are Walleye.

Around the dates Bear Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 64.4°F in June, 54.5°F in May. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Walleye 14 plants
Plants
14 of 14
Last stocked
June 30, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 55,0312006
  • 51,9122010
  • 85,4082012
  • 90,6742015
  • 86,6872017
  • 89,4822019
  • 80,3002022
  • 92,2562025
  • 84,8702026

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 30, 2026 Walleye 84,870 – report
June 3, 2025 Walleye 92,256 – report
June 24, 2022 Walleye 80,300 – report
June 14, 2019 Walleye 8,073 – report
June 13, 2019 Walleye 68,986 – report
June 12, 2019 Walleye 12,423 – report
June 1, 2017 Walleye 46,013 – report
May 31, 2017 Walleye 40,674 – report
June 4, 2015 Walleye 55,759 – report
June 3, 2015 Walleye 22,461 – report
June 3, 2015 Walleye 12,454 – report
June 12, 2012 Walleye 85,408 – report
June 16, 2010 Walleye 51,912 – report
June 6, 2006 Walleye 55,031 – report

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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