Crater Lake fishing

Fishing at Crater Lake has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 1979, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

May 1, 2026

Plants on record

45

Since 1979

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

4.7

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How Crater Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the last week of April. In 2026 it was May 1, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2020, 2023, and 2025.

About 3,957 reported fish per acre, the most of 5 lakes in Oscoda County with both a fish count and a surface area.

George Lake (12 mi) was stocked more recently.

Fish at Crater Lake

Fishing Crater Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. All 45 plants on record are Rainbow Trout.

Around the dates Crater Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 40.9°F in April, 54.6°F in May, 65°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout 45 plants
Plants
45 of 45
Last stocked
May 1, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 3601979
  • 4001980
  • 8191981
  • 4001982
  • 3001983
  • 2901984
  • 4001985
  • 4001986
  • 4001987
  • 2381988
  • 4001989
  • 4001990
  • 3701991
  • 4001992
  • 3501993
  • 4001994
  • 4001995
  • 4001996
  • 3971997
  • 3501998
  • 3901999
  • 4002000
  • 4002001
  • 4002002
  • 4002003
  • 4002004
  • 4402005
  • 4352006
  • 4902007
  • 4732008
  • 4892009
  • 4702010
  • 4702011
  • 4602012
  • 4602013
  • 4702014
  • 4802015
  • 3982016
  • 3992017
  • 4002018
  • 4002019
  • 4002021
  • 4002022
  • 3992024
  • 4002026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 45 plants Showing 45 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2026 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 399 – report
May 4, 2022 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 20, 2021 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 6, 2019 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 16, 2018 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 25, 2017 Rainbow Trout 399 – report
May 2, 2016 Rainbow Trout 398 – report
April 23, 2015 Rainbow Trout 480 – report
April 24, 2014 Rainbow Trout 470 – report
April 29, 2013 Rainbow Trout 460 – report
April 23, 2012 Rainbow Trout 460 – report
April 25, 2011 Rainbow Trout 470 – report
April 20, 2010 Rainbow Trout 470 – report
April 23, 2009 Rainbow Trout 489 – report
April 24, 2008 Rainbow Trout 473 – report
April 19, 2007 Rainbow Trout 490 – report
April 13, 2006 Rainbow Trout 435 – report
April 25, 2005 Rainbow Trout 440 – report
April 16, 2004 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 29, 2003 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 6, 2002 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 7, 2001 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 7, 2000 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 12, 1999 Rainbow Trout 390 – report
May 14, 1998 Rainbow Trout 350 – report
April 24, 1997 Rainbow Trout 397 – report
May 15, 1996 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 26, 1995 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 23, 1994 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 14, 1993 Rainbow Trout 350 – report
May 15, 1992 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 17, 1991 Rainbow Trout 370 – report
April 24, 1990 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 24, 1989 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 25, 1988 Rainbow Trout 238 – report
May 5, 1987 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
April 15, 1986 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 1, 1985 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 10, 1984 Rainbow Trout 290 – report
May 3, 1983 Rainbow Trout 300 – report
May 25, 1982 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
May 13, 1981 Rainbow Trout 819 – report
April 30, 1980 Rainbow Trout 400 – report
June 12, 1979 Rainbow Trout 360 – 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.

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