Last stocked
April 19, 1985
Plants on record
6
Since 1979
Species recorded
1
Surface acres
137.8
Access and facts
- Boat ramp
- Yes
A DNR-listed public boating access site serves the lake.
Sources: access , shore_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs , angler_notes
How Deer Lake is stocked
The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of April. In 1985 it was April 19, 1985, about when it usually is.
No plants recorded in 1981 and 1982.
About 296 reported fish per acre, 10th most of 17 lakes in Oakland County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Maceday Lake (2.8 mi), Big Lake (4.4 mi), Pontiac Lake (4.7 mi), and Crescent Lake (6.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Maceday Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Crescent Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.
Fish at Deer Lake
Fishing Deer Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. All 6 plants on record are Rainbow Trout.
Around the dates Deer Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 45.6°F in April, 58°F in May, 68.3°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Rainbow Trout 6 plants
- Plants
- 6 of 6
- Last stocked
- April 19, 1985
Fishing Deer Lake
Deer Lake, located north of Ishpeming, was once designated a catch and release site as fish caught in the lake were unsafe for consumption. By late 2014, the lake was delisted as an Area of Concern. The restrictions on fishing were also removed.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
What to watch for
High levels of mercury had been detected in Deer Lake, and due to contamination, fish caught in the lake were historically 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
- 7,0001979
- 7,0001980
- 10,0001983
- 6,8001984
- 10,0021985
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 19, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 10,002 | – | report |
| April 17, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 6,800 | – | report |
| June 9, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | – | report |
| May 3, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | – | report |
| April 22, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | – | report |
| May 31, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | – | report |
Species stocked here
Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.