Crystal Lake fishing

Fishing at Crystal Lake has Walleye, Bluegill, Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike, and 3 more on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.3 times a year since 1979, most often in June and October. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike, and dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass.

Last stocked

April 29, 2026

Plants on record

15

Since 1979

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

709.2

Access and facts

Nearest town
Crystal, MI
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

A DNR boating access site on the northeast shore has two skid piers, paved parking for 46 vehicles/trailers, and an ADA-accessible pit toilet. A small Crystal Township site (parking for 2-3 trailers) sits on the south shore; Crystal Township Park on the east side offers shoreline and winter access.

Sources: access , access , shore_notes , access.ada , access.shore , access.fee , nearest_town

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How Crystal Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of June. In 2026 it was April 29, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 37 years between 1979 and 2026.

About 1,847 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 6 lakes in Montcalm County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Crystal Lake

Fishing Crystal Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. All 15 plants on record are Walleye.

Around the dates Crystal Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 68.6°F in June, 52.2°F in October, 57.8°F in May, 45.1°F in April. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Walleye 15 plants
Plants
15 of 15
Last stocked
April 29, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 575,0001979
  • 9,9881980
  • 70,0002011
  • 36,1372012
  • 36,0002015
  • 2,8952016
  • 3,0672017
  • 36,2692022
  • 36,3302024
  • 4,4972025
  • 499,5002026

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 29, 2026 Walleye 499,500 – report
November 6, 2025 Walleye 1,016 – report
October 30, 2025 Walleye 3,481 – report
June 4, 2024 Walleye 36,330 – report
June 1, 2022 Walleye 36,269 – report
October 6, 2017 Walleye 184 – report
October 4, 2017 Walleye 2,883 – report
October 12, 2016 Walleye 2,245 – report
October 11, 2016 Walleye 650 – report
June 4, 2015 Walleye 36,000 – report
May 22, 2012 Walleye 36,137 – report
June 9, 2011 Walleye 33,460 – report
June 8, 2011 Walleye 36,540 – report
June 19, 1980 Walleye 9,988 – report
May 3, 1979 Walleye 575,000 – report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Bluegill : 256 captured in the 2021 MDNR trap-net survey, scoring 6.7 (excellent-to-superior) on the Schneider bluegill index; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Black crappie : Captured in the 2021 MDNR netting survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Hybrid sunfish : Captured in the 2021 MDNR netting survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Pumpkinseed : Captured in the 2021 MDNR netting survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Rock bass : Captured in the 2021 MDNR netting survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Smallmouth bass : Captured in the 2021 MDNR netting survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Yellow perch : Among the most abundant species in the 2021 MDNR netting survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Northern pike : A target species of the 2021 MDNR netting/electrofishing survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)

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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