Big Trout Lake fishing

Big Trout Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout on a natural lake. 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.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
May 4, 2026
· Brown Trout
Plants on record
50
Since 1980
Species recorded
3
Surface acres
25.9

Fish at Big Trout Lake

3 stocked · 0 confirmed present

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 Stocked · 34 plants · last May 9, 2019 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked May 9, 2019 · 34 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 13 plants · last May 4, 2026 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 4, 2026 · 13 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide
Brook Trout Stocked · 3 plants · last June 6, 2000 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked June 6, 2000 · 3 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brook Trout species guide

How Big Trout Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

About 4,776 reported fish per acre, the most of 31 lakes in Marquette County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1980

3,450

Fish stocked in 1981

2,300

Fish stocked in 1982

2,500

Fish stocked in 1983

2,300

Fish stocked in 1984

2,300

Fish stocked in 1985

2,300

Fish stocked in 1986

2,070

Fish stocked in 1987

2,300

Fish stocked in 1988

2,301

Fish stocked in 1989

2,300

Fish stocked in 1990

2,300

Fish stocked in 1991

2,300

Fish stocked in 1992

2,300

Fish stocked in 1993

2,300

Fish stocked in 1996

9,625

Fish stocked in 1997

4,500

Fish stocked in 1999

6,800

Fish stocked in 2000

8,200

Fish stocked in 2001

4,030

Fish stocked in 2002

20,946

Fish stocked in 2003

3,187

Fish stocked in 2004

6,281

Fish stocked in 2005

2,886

Fish stocked in 2006

3,887

Fish stocked in 2007

2,492

Fish stocked in 2008

4,547

Fish stocked in 2010

1,300

Fish stocked in 2012

1,300

Fish stocked in 2014

1,800

Fish stocked in 2015

1,999

Fish stocked in 2016

698

Fish stocked in 2017

700

Fish stocked in 2018

700

Fish stocked in 2019

700

Fish stocked in 2022

800

Fish stocked in 2023

720

Fish stocked in 2024

740

Fish stocked in 2025

785

Fish stocked in 2026

750

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 4, 2026Brown Trout750–report
May 13, 2025Brown Trout785–report
April 22, 2024Brown Trout740–report
May 16, 2023Brown Trout720–report
May 10, 2022Brown Trout800–report
May 9, 2019Rainbow Trout700–report
May 23, 2018Rainbow Trout700–report
May 2, 2017Rainbow Trout700–report
May 23, 2016Rainbow Trout698–report
September 29, 2015Rainbow Trout1,999–report
October 2, 2014Rainbow Trout1,800–report
May 10, 2012Brown Trout1,300–report
April 30, 2010Brown Trout1,300–report
October 2, 2008Rainbow Trout3,447–report
April 30, 2008Brown Trout1,100–report
October 3, 2007Rainbow Trout2,492–report
October 5, 2006Rainbow Trout2,587–report
April 28, 2006Brown Trout1,300–report
October 11, 2005Rainbow Trout2,886–report
October 14, 2004Rainbow Trout5,081–report
May 11, 2004Brown Trout1,200–report
October 3, 2003Rainbow Trout3,187–report
August 7, 2002Rainbow Trout20,946–report
October 17, 2001Rainbow Trout2,500–report
May 1, 2001Brown Trout1,530–report
September 26, 2000Brown Trout2,500–report
September 26, 2000Rainbow Trout5,500–report
June 6, 2000Brook Trout100–report
June 6, 2000Brook Trout100–report
October 6, 1999Rainbow Trout4,500–report
June 28, 1999Brook Trout300–report
May 12, 1999Rainbow Trout2,000–report
September 29, 1997Rainbow Trout4,500–report
June 4, 1996Rainbow Trout7,350–report
May 23, 1996Brown Trout2,275–report
September 14, 1993Rainbow Trout2,300–report
September 9, 1992Rainbow Trout2,300–report
September 30, 1991Rainbow Trout2,300–report
October 8, 1990Rainbow Trout2,300–report
October 2, 1989Rainbow Trout2,300–report
September 26, 1988Rainbow Trout2,301–report
October 12, 1987Rainbow Trout2,300–report
October 7, 1986Rainbow Trout2,070–report
October 23, 1985Rainbow Trout2,300–report
October 10, 1984Rainbow Trout2,300–report
October 11, 1983Rainbow Trout2,300–report
October 19, 1982Rainbow Trout2,500–report
September 1, 1981Rainbow Trout2,300–report
September 24, 1980Rainbow Trout2,300–report
June 16, 1980Rainbow Trout1,150–report

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Gwinn
Facilities
restrooms

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.

Nearest lakes

Sporley Lake 0.8 mi last stocked May 4, 2026 Swanzy Lake 3.3 mi last stocked April 28, 2026 Mehl Lake 5 mi last stocked July 2, 2019 Strawberry Lake 7.1 mi last stocked May 15, 2026 Little Shag Lake 9.4 mi last stocked May 4, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Big Trout Lake?

Fishing Big Trout Lake usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 34 of 50 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and one more. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 9, 2019. Brown Trout was last stocked May 4, 2026. Brook Trout was last stocked June 6, 2000.

When is Big Trout Lake stocked?

Last stocked May 4, 2026. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 1980, most often in May and October. About 4,776 reported fish per acre, the most of 31 lakes in Marquette County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 8 years between 1980 and 2026.

How do you get on Big Trout Lake?

The nearest town is Gwinn. Facilities include restrooms.

Which lakes near Big Trout Lake were stocked more recently?

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

Sources (2) +