Big Chub Lake fishing

Fishing at Big Chub Lake has Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.2 times a year since 1979, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.

Last stocked

April 16, 2026

Plants on record

56

Since 1979

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

72.9

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How Big Chub Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of April. In 2026 it was April 16, 2026, earlier than usual.

About 3,289 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 16 lakes in Otsego County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Bridge Lake (0.7 mi) and Otsego Lake (4.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Bridge Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Fish at Big Chub Lake

Fishing Big Chub Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 45 of 56 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout.

Around the dates Big Chub Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 40.3°F in April, 54.1°F in May, 64.4°F in June, 48.7°F in October. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout 45 plants
Plants
45 of 56
Last stocked
April 16, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Brown Trout 11 plants
Plants
11 of 56
Last stocked
April 25, 1989

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 3,5001979
  • 3,3251980
  • 3,5001981
  • 3,5001982
  • 3,6901983
  • 3,5101984
  • 3,5001985
  • 3,5001986
  • 4,0001987
  • 4,0001988
  • 4,0001989
  • 4,0001990
  • 3,8401991
  • 4,0001992
  • 3,9961993
  • 4,0001994
  • 4,0001995
  • 3,9971996
  • 3,9991997
  • 3,8521998
  • 3,9001999
  • 4,0002000
  • 4,0002001
  • 4,0002002
  • 4,0002003
  • 5,0002004
  • 5,0002005
  • 4,9992006
  • 5,0002007
  • 5,0002008
  • 31,9942009
  • 5,2002010
  • 5,2002011
  • 5,0002012
  • 5,1002013
  • 5,2002014
  • 5,2002015
  • 4,9992016
  • 5,5002017
  • 5,4002018
  • 5,4942019
  • 4,8002020
  • 4,3992021
  • 4,9972022
  • 4,7982023
  • 5,5002024
  • 5,1942025
  • 5,2002026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 56 plants Showing 56 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 16, 2026 Rainbow Trout 5,200 – report
April 22, 2025 Rainbow Trout 5,194 – report
April 9, 2024 Rainbow Trout 5,500 – report
April 17, 2023 Rainbow Trout 4,798 – report
April 18, 2022 Rainbow Trout 4,997 – report
April 14, 2021 Rainbow Trout 4,399 – report
April 23, 2020 Rainbow Trout 4,800 – report
April 30, 2019 Rainbow Trout 5,494 – report
May 3, 2018 Rainbow Trout 5,400 – report
April 18, 2017 Rainbow Trout 5,500 – report
May 3, 2016 Rainbow Trout 4,999 – report
April 22, 2015 Rainbow Trout 5,200 – report
April 24, 2014 Rainbow Trout 5,200 – report
April 18, 2013 Rainbow Trout 5,100 – report
April 30, 2012 Rainbow Trout 5,000 – report
April 18, 2011 Rainbow Trout 5,200 – report
April 20, 2010 Rainbow Trout 5,200 – report
October 28, 2009 Rainbow Trout 26,994 – report
April 27, 2009 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
April 27, 2009 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 8, 2008 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 8, 2008 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 3, 2007 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 3, 2007 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 2, 2006 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 2, 2006 Rainbow Trout 2,499 – report
May 5, 2005 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 5, 2005 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 4, 2004 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 4, 2004 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
April 24, 2003 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 22, 2002 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 26, 2001 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 3, 2000 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 20, 1999 Rainbow Trout 3,900 – report
April 13, 1998 Rainbow Trout 3,852 – report
May 6, 1997 Rainbow Trout 3,999 – report
May 16, 1996 Rainbow Trout 3,997 – report
May 18, 1995 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
May 20, 1994 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
June 16, 1993 Rainbow Trout 835 – report
May 13, 1993 Rainbow Trout 3,161 – report
April 30, 1992 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 16, 1991 Rainbow Trout 3,840 – report
April 17, 1990 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 25, 1989 Brown Trout 4,000 – report
May 2, 1988 Brown Trout 4,000 – report
May 6, 1987 Brown Trout 4,000 – report
April 28, 1986 Brown Trout 3,500 – report
May 13, 1985 Brown Trout 3,500 – report
May 14, 1984 Brown Trout 3,510 – report
April 25, 1983 Brown Trout 3,690 – report
May 6, 1982 Brown Trout 3,500 – report
June 9, 1981 Brown Trout 3,500 – report
June 6, 1980 Brown Trout 3,325 – report
April 30, 1979 Brown Trout 3,500 – 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