Cary Lake fishing

Fishing at Cary Lake has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about once a year since 1979, most often in March and April. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

April 1, 2026

Plants on record

46

Since 1979

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

75.6

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

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

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities

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How Cary Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of April. In 2026 it was April 1, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 1993, 2001, and 2002.

About 2,359 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 6 lakes in Branch County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Cary Lake

Fishing Cary Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. All 46 plants on record are Rainbow Trout.

Around the dates Cary Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 47.2°F in April, 38.4°F in March, 59.5°F in May, 69.9°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout 46 plants
Plants
46 of 46
Last stocked
April 1, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,0001979
  • 2,0001980
  • 2,0001981
  • 3,0001982
  • 4,0001983
  • 3,9001984
  • 4,0001985
  • 4,5171986
  • 4,0001987
  • 4,0001988
  • 4,0001989
  • 3,9951990
  • 4,0001991
  • 3,9981992
  • 4,4941994
  • 4,5001995
  • 4,5001996
  • 4,4981997
  • 4,4501998
  • 4,4301999
  • 4,5002000
  • 4,4972003
  • 4,4932004
  • 4,3422005
  • 3,9462006
  • 4,1972007
  • 3,9482008
  • 4,3002009
  • 4,0992010
  • 4,1002011
  • 3,9492012
  • 4,0002013
  • 4,1002014
  • 4,0982015
  • 3,9502016
  • 4,3332017
  • 4,3002018
  • 4,3452019
  • 3,8002020
  • 3,9492021
  • 3,9502022
  • 3,8002023
  • 4,3452024
  • 4,1002025
  • 2,6002026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 46 plants Showing 46 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 1, 2026 Rainbow Trout 2,600 – report
April 7, 2025 Rainbow Trout 4,100 – report
April 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 4,345 – report
May 3, 2023 Rainbow Trout 3,800 – report
April 11, 2022 Rainbow Trout 3,950 – report
May 4, 2021 Rainbow Trout 3,949 – report
April 8, 2020 Rainbow Trout 3,800 – report
April 2, 2019 Rainbow Trout 4,345 – report
April 10, 2018 Rainbow Trout 4,300 – report
April 17, 2017 Rainbow Trout 4,333 – report
April 18, 2016 Rainbow Trout 3,950 – report
April 16, 2015 Rainbow Trout 4,098 – report
April 8, 2014 Rainbow Trout 4,100 – report
April 24, 2013 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 4, 2012 Rainbow Trout 3,949 – report
April 11, 2011 Rainbow Trout 4,100 – report
April 19, 2010 Rainbow Trout 4,099 – report
April 22, 2009 Rainbow Trout 4,300 – report
April 9, 2008 Rainbow Trout 3,948 – report
April 18, 2007 Rainbow Trout 4,197 – report
April 3, 2006 Rainbow Trout 3,946 – report
April 18, 2005 Rainbow Trout 4,342 – report
April 7, 2004 Rainbow Trout 4,493 – report
April 29, 2003 Rainbow Trout 4,497 – report
March 28, 2000 Rainbow Trout 4,500 – report
April 5, 1999 Rainbow Trout 4,430 – report
March 25, 1998 Rainbow Trout 4,450 – report
March 31, 1997 Rainbow Trout 4,498 – report
April 10, 1996 Rainbow Trout 4,500 – report
April 10, 1995 Rainbow Trout 4,500 – report
April 7, 1994 Rainbow Trout 4,494 – report
April 6, 1992 Rainbow Trout 3,998 – report
April 4, 1991 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
March 29, 1990 Rainbow Trout 3,995 – report
April 12, 1989 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 18, 1988 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 28, 1987 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
May 7, 1986 Rainbow Trout 517 – report
April 11, 1986 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
June 12, 1985 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 16, 1984 Rainbow Trout 3,900 – report
April 16, 1983 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
April 13, 1982 Rainbow Trout 3,000 – report
March 31, 1981 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
April 30, 1980 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
April 19, 1979 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
Show 31 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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