Big Island Lake fishing

Fishing at Big Island Lake has Muskellunge on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.3 times a year since 1980, most often in August and October. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

November 1, 2023

Plants on record

11

Since 1980

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

139.7

Access and facts

Boat ramp
No

At the center of the federally designated Big Island Lake Wilderness in the Hiawatha National Forest; no motorized access, reached only on foot.

Sources: shore_notes , access

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How Big Island Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of October. In 2023 it was November 1, 2023, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 34 years between 1980 and 2023.

About 15 reported fish per acre, 19th most of 20 lakes in Schoolcraft County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Neds Lake (1.8 mi) and McKeever Lake (2.8 mi) were stocked more recently. McKeever Lake is also stocked with Muskellunge.

Fish at Big Island Lake

Fishing Big Island Lake is most likely to be for Muskellunge. All 11 plants on record are Muskellunge.

Around the dates Big Island Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 48°F in October, 66.1°F in August, 60.1°F in September, 34.8°F in November. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Muskellunge 11 plants
Plants
11 of 11
Last stocked
November 1, 2023

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2601980
  • 1981990
  • 1821997
  • 2621999
  • 2002003
  • 2992008
  • 1952014
  • 1952019
  • 1502021
  • 1302023

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
November 1, 2023 Muskellunge 130 – report
October 26, 2021 Muskellunge 150 – report
October 30, 2019 Muskellunge 195 – report
October 15, 2014 Muskellunge 195 – report
October 22, 2008 Muskellunge 299 – report
October 14, 2003 Muskellunge 200 – report
September 14, 1999 Muskellunge 262 – report
September 3, 1997 Muskellunge 152 – report
August 28, 1997 Muskellunge 30 – report
August 17, 1990 Muskellunge 198 – report
August 14, 1980 Muskellunge 260 – 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