Ess Lake fishing

Fishing at Ess Lake has Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.6 times a year since 2009, most often in June and July. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night as the active times.

Last stocked

June 21, 2024

Plants on record

Since 2009

Species recorded

Surface acres

118.6

Access and facts

Boat ramp: Yes
Fee required: Yes
Facilities: dock

DNR-designated boating access site ("Ess Lake SFCG") administered by Clear Lake State Park: 1 launch lane, a pier, and limited parking (1 trailer spot plus 1 vehicle-only spot); no toilet on record.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Ess Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of June. In 2024 it was June 21, 2024, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 7 years between 2009 and 2024.

About 982 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 9 lakes in Montmorency County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Avalon Lake (1.4 mi) and McCormick Lake (16.8 mi) were stocked more recently.

Fish at Ess Lake

Fishing Ess Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. All 10 plants on record are Walleye.

Around the dates Ess Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 65.2°F in June, 70.1°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Walleye 10 plants

Plants: 10 of 10
Last stocked: June 21, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fish stocked per year

22,8072009
12,8122010
13,3202012
11,9702013
10,0452015
10,9002017
13,3662019
9,9702022
11,3102024

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
June 21, 2024	Walleye	11,310	–	report
June 15, 2022	Walleye	9,970	–	report
June 21, 2019	Walleye	13,366	–	report
June 13, 2017	Walleye	10,900	–	report
June 16, 2015	Walleye	10,045	–	report
June 19, 2013	Walleye	11,970	–	report
June 5, 2012	Walleye	13,320	–	report
June 22, 2010	Walleye	12,812	–	report
July 9, 2009	Walleye	15,029	–	report
June 10, 2009	Walleye	7,778	–	report

Species stocked here

Walleye (10)

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.