Walleye Stocked · 9 plants · last June 10, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night Big Bear Lake fishing
Big Bear Lake fishing has Tiger Muskie, Walleye, and Muskellunge on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1980, most often in June and November. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and dawn and dusk for Muskellunge.
- Last stocked
- June 10, 2025
- · Walleye
- Plants on record
- 20
- Since 1980
- Species recorded
- 3
- Surface acres
- 343.7
Fish at Big Bear Lake
Around the dates Big Bear Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 64.4°F in June, 35.4°F in November, 67.1°F in August, 48.7°F in October. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Walleye Stocked · 9 plants · last June 10, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Tiger Muskie Stocked · 6 plants · last September 25, 1990 Last stocked September 25, 1990 · 6 plants
Tiger Muskie species guide
Muskellunge Stocked · 5 plants · last October 15, 2014 Best: dawn, dusk How Big Bear Lake is stocked
About 653 reported fish per acre, 11th most of 15 lakes in Otsego County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 1980
1,200
Fish stocked in 1982
1,200
Fish stocked in 1984
1,200
Fish stocked in 1986
1,200
Fish stocked in 1988
1,300
Fish stocked in 1990
1,500
Fish stocked in 2008
27,910
Fish stocked in 2010
20,000
Fish stocked in 2011
3,046
Fish stocked in 2012
21,796
Fish stocked in 2013
1,792
Fish stocked in 2014
25,987
Fish stocked in 2016
20,000
Fish stocked in 2018
35,000
Fish stocked in 2021
20,727
Fish stocked in 2023
21,307
Fish stocked in 2025
19,135
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2025 | Walleye | 19,135 | – | report |
| June 7, 2023 | Walleye | 21,307 | – | report |
| June 16, 2021 | Walleye | 20,727 | – | report |
| June 11, 2018 | Walleye | 35,000 | – | report |
| June 7, 2016 | Walleye | 20,000 | – | report |
| October 15, 2014 | Muskellunge | 434 | – | report |
| June 16, 2014 | Walleye | 25,553 | – | report |
| November 5, 2013 | Muskellunge | 1,792 | – | report |
| November 8, 2012 | Muskellunge | 1,796 | – | report |
| June 4, 2012 | Walleye | 20,000 | – | report |
| November 14, 2011 | Muskellunge | 2,376 | – | report |
| November 14, 2011 | Muskellunge | 670 | – | report |
| June 22, 2010 | Walleye | 20,000 | – | report |
| July 8, 2008 | Walleye | 27,910 | – | report |
| September 25, 1990 | Tiger Muskie | 1,500 | – | report |
| October 6, 1988 | Tiger Muskie | 1,300 | – | report |
| October 13, 1986 | Tiger Muskie | 1,200 | – | report |
| August 23, 1984 | Tiger Muskie | 1,200 | – | report |
| August 4, 1982 | Tiger Muskie | 1,200 | – | report |
| August 14, 1980 | Tiger Muskie | 1,200 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Vienna Corners
- Facilities
- restrooms, camping
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Big Bear Lake?
Fishing Big Bear Lake usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 9 of 20 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie and one more. Walleye was last stocked June 10, 2025. Tiger Muskie was last stocked September 25, 1990. Muskellunge was last stocked October 15, 2014.
When is Big Bear Lake stocked?
Last stocked June 10, 2025. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1980, most often in June and November. About 653 reported fish per acre, 11th most of 15 lakes in Otsego County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 29 years between 1980 and 2025.
How do you get on Big Bear Lake?
The nearest town is Vienna Corners. Facilities include restrooms and camping.
Which lakes near Big Bear Lake were stocked more recently?
West Twin Lake (4.6 mi) and McCormick Lake (6.8 mi) were stocked more recently. West Twin Lake is also stocked with Tiger Muskie and Walleye.