Big Bear Lake fishing

Fishing at Big Bear Lake 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

Plants on record

20

Since 1980

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

343.7

Access and facts

Nearest town
Vienna Corners
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane serves the lake's north shore, 1.5 miles southwest of Vienna Corners. Administered by Otsego Lake State Park; a Recreation Passport is required. Rustic campground on site (31 sites, $20/night). 2 toilets on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee , nearest_town , shore_notes , facilities

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How Big Bear Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of July. In 2025 it was June 10, 2025, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 29 years between 1980 and 2025.

About 653 reported fish per acre, 12th most of 16 lakes in Otsego County with both a fish count and a surface area.

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.

Fish at Big Bear Lake

Fishing Big Bear Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 9 of 20 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie and one more.

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 9 plants
Plants
9 of 20
Last stocked
June 10, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Tiger Muskie 6 plants
Plants
6 of 20
Last stocked
September 25, 1990

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Muskellunge 5 plants
Plants
5 of 20
Last stocked
October 15, 2014

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,2001980
  • 1,2001982
  • 1,2001984
  • 1,2001986
  • 1,3001988
  • 1,5001990
  • 27,9102008
  • 20,0002010
  • 3,0462011
  • 21,7962012
  • 1,7922013
  • 25,9872014
  • 20,0002016
  • 35,0002018
  • 20,7272021
  • 21,3072023
  • 19,1352025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 20 plants Showing 20 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
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
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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.

Nearest lakes