Big Trout Lake fishing

Fishing at Big Trout Lake has Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 1980, most often in May and October. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Brook Trout.

Last stocked

May 4, 2026

Plants on record

50

Since 1980

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

25.9

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
restrooms

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane serves the lake. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Big Trout Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of August. In 2026 it was May 4, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 8 years between 1980 and 2026.

About 4,776 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 32 lakes in Marquette County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Strawberry Lake (7.1 mi) was stocked more recently. Strawberry Lake is also stocked with Brook Trout.

Fish at Big Trout Lake

Fishing Big Trout Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 34 of 50 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and one more.

Around the dates Big Trout Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 47.1°F in October, 51.4°F in May, 59.7°F in September, 62.2°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout 34 plants
Plants
34 of 50
Last stocked
May 9, 2019

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Brown Trout 13 plants
Plants
13 of 50
Last stocked
May 4, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Brook Trout 3 plants
Plants
3 of 50
Last stocked
June 6, 2000

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 3,4501980
  • 2,3001981
  • 2,5001982
  • 2,3001983
  • 2,3001984
  • 2,3001985
  • 2,0701986
  • 2,3001987
  • 2,3011988
  • 2,3001989
  • 2,3001990
  • 2,3001991
  • 2,3001992
  • 2,3001993
  • 9,6251996
  • 4,5001997
  • 6,8001999
  • 8,2002000
  • 4,0302001
  • 20,9462002
  • 3,1872003
  • 6,2812004
  • 2,8862005
  • 3,8872006
  • 2,4922007
  • 4,5472008
  • 1,3002010
  • 1,3002012
  • 1,8002014
  • 1,9992015
  • 6982016
  • 7002017
  • 7002018
  • 7002019
  • 8002022
  • 7202023
  • 7402024
  • 7852025
  • 7502026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 50 plants Showing 50 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 4, 2026 Brown Trout 750 – report
May 13, 2025 Brown Trout 785 – report
April 22, 2024 Brown Trout 740 – report
May 16, 2023 Brown Trout 720 – report
May 10, 2022 Brown Trout 800 – report
May 9, 2019 Rainbow Trout 700 – report
May 23, 2018 Rainbow Trout 700 – report
May 2, 2017 Rainbow Trout 700 – report
May 23, 2016 Rainbow Trout 698 – report
September 29, 2015 Rainbow Trout 1,999 – report
October 2, 2014 Rainbow Trout 1,800 – report
May 10, 2012 Brown Trout 1,300 – report
April 30, 2010 Brown Trout 1,300 – report
October 2, 2008 Rainbow Trout 3,447 – report
April 30, 2008 Brown Trout 1,100 – report
October 3, 2007 Rainbow Trout 2,492 – report
October 5, 2006 Rainbow Trout 2,587 – report
April 28, 2006 Brown Trout 1,300 – report
October 11, 2005 Rainbow Trout 2,886 – report
October 14, 2004 Rainbow Trout 5,081 – report
May 11, 2004 Brown Trout 1,200 – report
October 3, 2003 Rainbow Trout 3,187 – report
August 7, 2002 Rainbow Trout 20,946 – report
October 17, 2001 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
May 1, 2001 Brown Trout 1,530 – report
September 26, 2000 Brown Trout 2,500 – report
September 26, 2000 Rainbow Trout 5,500 – report
June 6, 2000 Brook Trout 100 – report
June 6, 2000 Brook Trout 100 – report
October 6, 1999 Rainbow Trout 4,500 – report
June 28, 1999 Brook Trout 300 – report
May 12, 1999 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
September 29, 1997 Rainbow Trout 4,500 – report
June 4, 1996 Rainbow Trout 7,350 – report
May 23, 1996 Brown Trout 2,275 – report
September 14, 1993 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
September 9, 1992 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
September 30, 1991 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
October 8, 1990 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
October 2, 1989 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
September 26, 1988 Rainbow Trout 2,301 – report
October 12, 1987 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
October 7, 1986 Rainbow Trout 2,070 – report
October 23, 1985 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
October 10, 1984 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
October 11, 1983 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
October 19, 1982 Rainbow Trout 2,500 – report
September 1, 1981 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
September 24, 1980 Rainbow Trout 2,300 – report
June 16, 1980 Rainbow Trout 1,150 – 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