Deer Lake fishing

Fishing at Deer Lake has Arctic Grayling and Brook Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.6 times a year since 1987, most often in May and October. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

May 27, 2025

Plants on record

23

Since 1987

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

8.2

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How Deer Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of September. In 2025 it was May 27, 2025, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 16 years between 1987 and 2025.

About 1,975 reported fish per acre, 15th most of 26 lakes in Luce County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Camp Eight Lake (0.5 mi) and Bullhead Lake (0.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Bullhead Lake is also stocked with Brook Trout.

Fish at Deer Lake

Fishing Deer Lake is most likely to be for Brook Trout. Brook Trout accounts for 19 of 23 plants on record, ahead of Arctic Grayling.

Around the dates Deer Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 47.8°F in October, 50.9°F in May, 37°F in April, 59.6°F in September. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Brook Trout 19 plants
Plants
19 of 23
Last stocked
May 27, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Arctic Grayling 4 plants
Plants
4 of 23
Last stocked
May 5, 1992

Seasons and rigs are on the Arctic Grayling guide.

Fishing Deer Lake

Deer Lake previously had high levels of mercury, leading to its designation as a catch and release site because fish caught in the lake were unsafe for consumption. However, efforts have been made to reduce the amount of mercury, and according to the EPA, the restrictions on fishing were removed as well.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

High levels of mercury had been detected in Deer Lake, and fish caught in the lake were considered unsafe for consumption.

What anglers say

According to the EPA, the restrictions on fishing at Deer Lake were removed as well.

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,2001987
  • 9001990
  • 2,4001991
  • 1,0001992
  • 2241995
  • 6001996
  • 4801997
  • 6001998
  • 6001999
  • 6002000
  • 8502004
  • 8502005
  • 2472006
  • 6952007
  • 6982009
  • 6502011
  • 6982013
  • 6902015
  • 6992017
  • 3582019
  • 3602021
  • 3962023
  • 3962025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 23 plants Showing 23 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 27, 2025 Brook Trout 396 – report
May 16, 2023 Brook Trout 396 – report
May 3, 2021 Brook Trout 360 – report
May 28, 2019 Brook Trout 358 – report
October 31, 2017 Brook Trout 699 – report
October 27, 2015 Brook Trout 690 – report
October 21, 2013 Brook Trout 698 – report
October 21, 2011 Brook Trout 650 – report
October 26, 2009 Brook Trout 698 – report
October 8, 2007 Brook Trout 695 – report
October 9, 2006 Brook Trout 247 – report
October 11, 2005 Brook Trout 850 – report
November 3, 2004 Brook Trout 850 – report
April 27, 2000 Brook Trout 600 – report
May 14, 1999 Brook Trout 600 – report
May 8, 1998 Brook Trout 600 – report
May 23, 1997 Brook Trout 480 – report
June 10, 1996 Brook Trout 600 – report
October 30, 1995 Brook Trout 224 – report
May 5, 1992 Arctic Grayling 1,000 – report
September 24, 1991 Arctic Grayling 2,400 – report
September 19, 1990 Arctic Grayling 900 – report
April 23, 1987 Arctic Grayling 1,200 – 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.

Nearest lakes