Fife Lake fishing

Fife Lake fishing is stocked with Walleye on a natural lake. Also recorded: Rock bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed sunfish, Black crappie, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and 2 more. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 2004, most often in April and June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Rock bass, and Black crappie, dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill, Northern pike, and Yellow perch, and dusk for Pumpkinseed sunfish.

Fife Lake
Photo: Kjoles, CC BY 3.0
Last stocked
June 4, 2025
· Walleye
Plants on record
11
Since 2004
Species stocked
1 (+8 also recorded)
Surface acres
597.7

Fish at Fife Lake

1 stocked · 8 confirmed present

Around the dates Fife Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 65.5°F in June, 41.5°F in April, 55.1°F in May. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Walleye Stocked · 11 plants · last June 4, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked June 4, 2025 · 11 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide

How Fife Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

About 2,373 reported fish per acre, the most of 6 lakes in Grand Traverse County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2004

21,456

Fish stocked in 2011

30,176

Fish stocked in 2012

24,030

Fish stocked in 2014

20,325

Fish stocked in 2015

1,194,800

Fish stocked in 2016

41,837

Fish stocked in 2018

19,846

Fish stocked in 2021

18,444

Fish stocked in 2023

21,650

Fish stocked in 2025

26,017

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 4, 2025Walleye26,017–report
June 6, 2023Walleye21,650–report
June 8, 2021Walleye18,444–report
June 1, 2018Walleye19,846–report
June 22, 2016Walleye41,837–report
May 4, 2015Walleye499,800–report
April 29, 2015Walleye695,000–report
June 17, 2014Walleye20,325–report
June 13, 2012Walleye24,030–report
June 9, 2011Walleye30,176–report
June 10, 2004Walleye21,456–report

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Fife Lake, MI
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
restrooms

MDNR-owned public access site with a boat launch and paved parking off E. State Street on the north side of the lake, in the Village of Fife Lake (the village maintains it under a lease with MDNR). DNR lists shore and boat fishing here. A private marina sits near the launch.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

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

About Fife Lake

Photo of Fife Lake
Kjoles, CC BY 3.0
Photo of Fife Lake
Phoenix-Five, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nearest lakes

Rennie Lake 9.2 mi last stocked October 1, 1991 Guernsey Lake 10 mi last stocked April 28, 2025 Log Lake 15.9 mi last stocked April 21, 2004 Crooked Lake 16.3 mi last stocked October 1, 1991 Lake Skegemog 16.9 mi last stocked November 8, 2023

Common questions

What fish are at Fife Lake?

Fishing Fife Lake usually means Walleye. All 11 plants on record are Walleye. Walleye was last stocked June 4, 2025. Rock bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed sunfish, and Black crappie, plus 4 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Fife Lake stocked?

Last stocked June 4, 2025. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 2004, most often in April and June. About 2,373 reported fish per acre, the most of 6 lakes in Grand Traverse County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 12 years between 2004 and 2025.

How do you get on Fife Lake?

Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Fife Lake, MI. Facilities include restrooms. MDNR-owned public access site with a boat launch and paved parking off E. State Street on the north side of the lake, in the Village of Fife Lake (the village maintains it under a lease with MDNR). DNR lists shore and boat fishing here. A private marina sits near the launch.

Sources (4) +