Crater Lake fishing

Crater Lake fishing 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.

Crater Lake
Photo: Ryan Stitt, USDA Forest Service, Public domain
Last stocked
May 1, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
45
Since 1979
Species recorded
1
Surface acres
4.7

Fish at Crater Lake

1 stocked · 0 confirmed present

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 Stocked · 45 plants · last May 1, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked May 1, 2026 · 45 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

How Crater Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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

Fish stocked in 1979

360

Fish stocked in 1980

400

Fish stocked in 1981

819

Fish stocked in 1982

400

Fish stocked in 1983

300

Fish stocked in 1984

290

Fish stocked in 1985

400

Fish stocked in 1986

400

Fish stocked in 1987

400

Fish stocked in 1988

238

Fish stocked in 1989

400

Fish stocked in 1990

400

Fish stocked in 1991

370

Fish stocked in 1992

400

Fish stocked in 1993

350

Fish stocked in 1994

400

Fish stocked in 1995

400

Fish stocked in 1996

400

Fish stocked in 1997

397

Fish stocked in 1998

350

Fish stocked in 1999

390

Fish stocked in 2000

400

Fish stocked in 2001

400

Fish stocked in 2002

400

Fish stocked in 2003

400

Fish stocked in 2004

400

Fish stocked in 2005

440

Fish stocked in 2006

435

Fish stocked in 2007

490

Fish stocked in 2008

473

Fish stocked in 2009

489

Fish stocked in 2010

470

Fish stocked in 2011

470

Fish stocked in 2012

460

Fish stocked in 2013

460

Fish stocked in 2014

470

Fish stocked in 2015

480

Fish stocked in 2016

398

Fish stocked in 2017

399

Fish stocked in 2018

400

Fish stocked in 2019

400

Fish stocked in 2021

400

Fish stocked in 2022

400

Fish stocked in 2024

399

Fish stocked in 2026

400

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2026Rainbow Trout400–report
May 1, 2024Rainbow Trout399–report
May 4, 2022Rainbow Trout400–report
April 20, 2021Rainbow Trout400–report
May 6, 2019Rainbow Trout400–report
May 16, 2018Rainbow Trout400–report
April 25, 2017Rainbow Trout399–report
May 2, 2016Rainbow Trout398–report
April 23, 2015Rainbow Trout480–report
April 24, 2014Rainbow Trout470–report
April 29, 2013Rainbow Trout460–report
April 23, 2012Rainbow Trout460–report
April 25, 2011Rainbow Trout470–report
April 20, 2010Rainbow Trout470–report
April 23, 2009Rainbow Trout489–report
April 24, 2008Rainbow Trout473–report
April 19, 2007Rainbow Trout490–report
April 13, 2006Rainbow Trout435–report
April 25, 2005Rainbow Trout440–report
April 16, 2004Rainbow Trout400–report
April 29, 2003Rainbow Trout400–report
May 6, 2002Rainbow Trout400–report
May 7, 2001Rainbow Trout400–report
April 7, 2000Rainbow Trout400–report
May 12, 1999Rainbow Trout390–report
May 14, 1998Rainbow Trout350–report
April 24, 1997Rainbow Trout397–report
May 15, 1996Rainbow Trout400–report
April 26, 1995Rainbow Trout400–report
May 23, 1994Rainbow Trout400–report
May 14, 1993Rainbow Trout350–report
May 15, 1992Rainbow Trout400–report
April 17, 1991Rainbow Trout370–report
April 24, 1990Rainbow Trout400–report
April 24, 1989Rainbow Trout400–report
April 25, 1988Rainbow Trout238–report
May 5, 1987Rainbow Trout400–report
April 15, 1986Rainbow Trout400–report
May 1, 1985Rainbow Trout400–report
May 10, 1984Rainbow Trout290–report
May 3, 1983Rainbow Trout300–report
May 25, 1982Rainbow Trout400–report
May 13, 1981Rainbow Trout819–report
April 30, 1980Rainbow Trout400–report
June 12, 1979Rainbow Trout360–report

Access and facts

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

About Crater Lake

Photo of Crater Lake
Ryan Stitt, USDA Forest Service, Public domain

Nearest lakes

Mack Lake 5.5 mi last stocked April 9, 1981 Grousehaven Lake 9.8 mi last stocked April 21, 2025 Devoe Lake 10.1 mi last stocked June 12, 2018 George Lake 12 mi last stocked June 23, 2026 Au Sable Lake 12.7 mi last stocked June 27, 2019

Common questions

What fish are at Crater Lake?

Fishing Crater Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 45 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 1, 2026.

When is Crater Lake stocked?

Last stocked May 1, 2026. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 1979, most often in April and May. About 3,957 reported fish per acre, the most of 5 lakes in Oscoda County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2020, 2023, and 2025.

Which lakes near Crater Lake were stocked more recently?

George Lake (12 mi) was stocked more recently.

Sources (2) +