Big Fish Lake fishing

Fishing at Big Fish Lake has Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 1979, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout.

Last stocked

April 7, 1993

Plants on record

14

Since 1979

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

105.3

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 2 launch lanes and 1 pier serves the lake. Administered by Ortonville State Recreation Area; a Recreation Passport is required. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Big Fish Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of April. In 1993 it was April 7, 1993, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 1988.

About 321 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 5 lakes in Lapeer County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Lake Orion (10.1 mi) and Strawberry Lake (11.1 mi) were stocked more recently.

Fish at Big Fish Lake

Fishing Big Fish Lake is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 13 of 14 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout.

Around the dates Big Fish Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 45.1°F in April, 57.5°F in May, 67.7°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Brown Trout 13 plants
Plants
13 of 14
Last stocked
April 7, 1993

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 14
Last stocked
June 4, 1979

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,5001979
  • 2,5001980
  • 1,5001981
  • 2,5001982
  • 2,5001983
  • 2,5001984
  • 2,3101985
  • 2,3501986
  • 2,3801987
  • 3,0001989
  • 2,5001990
  • 2,3001991
  • 2,4901992
  • 2,5001993

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 7, 1993 Brown Trout 2,500 – report
April 29, 1992 Brown Trout 2,490 – report
May 23, 1991 Brown Trout 2,300 – report
April 12, 1990 Brown Trout 2,500 – report
April 20, 1989 Brown Trout 3,000 – report
May 14, 1987 Brown Trout 2,380 – report
April 2, 1986 Brown Trout 2,350 – report
April 15, 1985 Brown Trout 2,310 – report
April 19, 1984 Brown Trout 2,500 – report
May 9, 1983 Brown Trout 2,500 – report
April 13, 1982 Brown Trout 2,500 – report
April 2, 1981 Brown Trout 1,500 – report
April 9, 1980 Brown Trout 2,500 – report
June 4, 1979 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – 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.

Nearest lakes