Big Lake fishing

Fishing at Big Lake has Tiger Muskie and Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.3 times a year since 1983, most often in June and August. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night as the active times.

Last stocked

June 5, 2025

Plants on record

13

Since 1983

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

216.6

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
dock

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane and 1 pier serves the lake. Administered by Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area; a Recreation Passport is required.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Big Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of June. In 2025 it was June 5, 2025, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 32 years between 1983 and 2025.

About 590 reported fish per acre, 8th most of 17 lakes in Oakland County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Pontiac Lake (4.8 mi) and Maceday Lake (5 mi) were stocked more recently. Pontiac Lake is also stocked with Tiger Muskie and Walleye.

Fish at Big Lake

Fishing Big Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 10 of 13 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie.

Around the dates Big Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 68.3°F in June, 70.6°F in August, 64.7°F in September, 52.9°F in October. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Walleye 10 plants
Plants
10 of 13
Last stocked
June 5, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Tiger Muskie 3 plants
Plants
3 of 13
Last stocked
October 7, 1987

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,0001983
  • 6021985
  • 9001987
  • 17,2362011
  • 10,0882012
  • 16,3132014
  • 22,9792016
  • 10,7272018
  • 10,2002021
  • 22,5152023
  • 15,2872025

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 5, 2025 Walleye 15,287 – report
June 27, 2023 Walleye 11,650 – report
June 14, 2023 Walleye 10,865 – report
June 23, 2021 Walleye 10,200 – report
June 28, 2018 Walleye 4,814 – report
June 13, 2018 Walleye 5,913 – report
June 1, 2016 Walleye 22,979 – report
June 11, 2014 Walleye 16,313 – report
June 6, 2012 Walleye 10,088 – report
June 15, 2011 Walleye 17,236 – report
October 7, 1987 Tiger Muskie 900 – report
September 25, 1985 Tiger Muskie 602 – report
August 4, 1983 Tiger Muskie 1,000 – 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