Last stocked
September 29, 2004
Plants on record
27
Since 1979
Species recorded
3
Surface acres
974.4
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Facilities
- dock
A Huron River impoundment created by Ford Lake Dam in the early 1930s. A DNR-listed public boating access site with 4 launch lanes and 2 piers serves the lake.
Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , shore_notes , water_type , fishing_notes , watch_outs , angler_notes
How Ford Lake is stocked
The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of September. In 2004 it was September 29, 2004, later than usual.
No plants recorded in 7 years between 1979 and 2004.
About 5,344 reported fish per acre, the most of 5 lakes in Washtenaw County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Barton Pond (11.4 mi), Newburgh Lake (13.3 mi), Whitmore Lake (16.8 mi), Spring Mill Pond (20 mi), and Zukey Lake (20.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Barton Pond is also stocked with Tiger Muskie and Channel Catfish, Newburgh Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Whitmore Lake is also stocked with Tiger Muskie and Walleye, and Zukey Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Walleye.
Fish at Ford Lake
Fishing Ford Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 13 of 27 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie and one more.
Around the dates Ford Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 54.2°F in October, 71.9°F in August, 65.9°F in September, 47°F in April. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Channel Catfish 13 plants
- Plants
- 13 of 27
- Last stocked
- September 29, 2004
Tiger Muskie 12 plants
- Plants
- 12 of 27
- Last stocked
- October 4, 1991
Walleye 2 plants
- Plants
- 2 of 27
- Last stocked
- April 23, 1985
Fishing Ford Lake
Ford Lake is a recreational site for fishing, and the only boat launch for motorized vessels is within Ford Lake Park. Common fish include bullhead catfish, channel catfish, common carp, crappies, northern pike, smallmouth bass, suckers, sunfish, bluegill, walleye, white bass, and yellow perch. The largest fish caught in Ford Lake is a common carp, recorded at 36.25 inches long in the state's Master Angler Entries.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
What to watch for
Ford Lake often experiences algal blooms late in the summer. The Washtenaw County Health Department has issued advisories in the past based on high levels of toxic cyanobacteria. Ford Lake has also been identified as a site of significant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination.
What anglers say
According to the Eat Safe Fish Guide published by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as of 2025, it recommends no consumption of any fish species from this lake ('do not eat').
Fish stocked per year
- 2,0001979
- 4,0001980
- 1,5001981
- 2,032,3951982
- 2,0001983
- 3,001,6001985
- 2,0001986
- 17,0001987
- 15,0001988
- 13,0001989
- 15,0001990
- 17,0001991
- 22,8061994
- 10,0001997
- 19,0351998
- 12,3001999
- 7,5022000
- 7,2602002
- 6,0362004
Stocking history
Showing 15 of 27 plants Showing 27 plants
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2004 | Channel Catfish | 6,036 | – | report |
| September 18, 2002 | Channel Catfish | 7,260 | – | report |
| October 2, 2000 | Channel Catfish | 7,502 | – | report |
| October 20, 1999 | Channel Catfish | 12,300 | – | report |
| October 21, 1998 | Channel Catfish | 19,035 | – | report |
| October 8, 1997 | Channel Catfish | 10,000 | – | report |
| October 13, 1994 | Channel Catfish | 22,806 | – | report |
| November 2, 1991 | Channel Catfish | 15,000 | – | report |
| October 4, 1991 | Tiger Muskie | 2,000 | – | report |
| November 8, 1990 | Channel Catfish | 15,000 | – | report |
| September 19, 1989 | Tiger Muskie | 2,000 | – | report |
| May 19, 1989 | Channel Catfish | 4,500 | – | report |
| April 7, 1989 | Channel Catfish | 6,500 | – | report |
| September 8, 1988 | Channel Catfish | 15,000 | – | report |
| October 2, 1987 | Tiger Muskie | 2,000 | – | report |
| April 15, 1987 | Channel Catfish | 15,000 | – | report |
| October 14, 1986 | Tiger Muskie | 2,000 | – | report |
| August 13, 1985 | Tiger Muskie | 1,600 | – | report |
| April 23, 1985 | Walleye | 3,000,000 | – | report |
| August 8, 1983 | Tiger Muskie | 1,000 | – | report |
| August 2, 1983 | Tiger Muskie | 1,000 | – | report |
| May 17, 1982 | Tiger Muskie | 32,395 | – | report |
| May 5, 1982 | Walleye | 2,000,000 | – | report |
| August 11, 1981 | Tiger Muskie | 1,500 | – | report |
| September 17, 1980 | Tiger Muskie | 2,000 | – | report |
| August 18, 1980 | Tiger Muskie | 2,000 | – | report |
| July 13, 1979 | Tiger Muskie | 2,000 | – | report |
Show 12 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.