Budd Lake

Budd Lake fishing

Fishing at Budd Lake has Tiger Muskie, Muskellunge, and Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 1979, most often in August and September. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye.

Last stocked

November 13, 2024

Plants on record

23

Since 1979

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

175.2

Access and facts

Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping

Wilson State Park borders the lake's northwest side with a sandy beach and 160 campsites. A single public boat ramp is at the lake's southern end.

Sources: access.shore , access.boat_ramp , facilities , shore_notes , photos , fishing_notes , watch_outs

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Budd Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of August. In 2024 it was November 13, 2024, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 24 years between 1979 and 2024.

About 285 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 5 lakes in Clare County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Pratt Lake (12.3 mi) and Wiggins Lake (12.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Pratt Lake is also stocked with Walleye and Wiggins Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Budd Lake

Fishing Budd Lake is most likely to be for Muskellunge. Muskellunge accounts for 14 of 23 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie and one more.

Around the dates Budd Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 68.4°F in August, 62.1°F in September, 70.5°F in July, 49.9°F in October. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Muskellunge 14 plants
Plants
14 of 23
Last stocked
November 13, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Tiger Muskie 7 plants
Plants
7 of 23
Last stocked
August 22, 1984

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Walleye 2 plants
Plants
2 of 23
Last stocked
June 16, 2021

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fishing Budd Lake

Budd Lake is popular among anglers, particularly for its muskies, some of which are longer than 40 inches. Anglers also pursue bass, panfish, perch, and walleye in the lake. Dropoffs near the shore provide deep water refuge, as the lake is up to 30 feet deep. A single public boat ramp is located at the southern end of the lake.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

Budd Lake is infected by viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), a fish disease that caused mass die-offs of muskies, bluegills, and black crappie in 2007, and bass, bluegills, and pumpkinseed sunfish in 2011. This virus spreads through contaminated bait fish and fishing equipment. The Michigan DNR advises anglers to disinfect boats and gear before transfer from Budd Lake to other destinations.

Fish stocked per year

  • 8001979
  • 1,8001980
  • 2,0001981
  • 2,0001982
  • 1,5001983
  • 1,2001984
  • 8091985
  • 1,6431987
  • 7721989
  • 2,0361995
  • 2851997
  • 5002000
  • 5002003
  • 1,0002005
  • 3492009
  • 2992012
  • 2632014
  • 5062017
  • 17,7362018
  • 3502019
  • 13,3982021
  • 1742024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 23 plants Showing 23 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
November 13, 2024 Muskellunge 174 – report
June 16, 2021 Walleye 13,398 – report
September 25, 2019 Muskellunge 350 – report
June 6, 2018 Walleye 17,736 – report
October 20, 2017 Muskellunge 506 – report
October 23, 2014 Muskellunge 263 – report
November 2, 2012 Muskellunge 299 – report
October 15, 2009 Muskellunge 349 – report
September 21, 2005 Muskellunge 1,000 – report
October 24, 2003 Muskellunge 500 – report
September 28, 2000 Muskellunge 500 – report
September 12, 1997 Muskellunge 285 – report
July 20, 1995 Muskellunge 2,036 – report
August 8, 1989 Muskellunge 772 – report
July 15, 1987 Muskellunge 1,643 – report
November 1, 1985 Muskellunge 809 – report
August 22, 1984 Tiger Muskie 1,200 – report
August 4, 1983 Tiger Muskie 1,500 – report
August 3, 1982 Tiger Muskie 2,000 – report
July 21, 1981 Tiger Muskie 2,000 – report
September 17, 1980 Tiger Muskie 1,000 – report
August 12, 1980 Tiger Muskie 800 – report
July 16, 1979 Tiger Muskie 800 – report
Show 8 more plants Show less

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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