Guernsey Lake fishing

Fishing at Guernsey Lake has Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 1979, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.

Last stocked

April 28, 2025

Plants on record

61

Since 1979

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

30.9

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane serves the lake. Administered by Traverse City State Park; a Recreation Passport is required. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Guernsey Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of April. In 2025 it was April 28, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2012, 2015, and 2021.

About 4,593 reported fish per acre, the most of 8 lakes in Kalkaska County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Guernsey Lake

Fishing Guernsey Lake is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 44 of 61 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout.

Around the dates Guernsey Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 41.3°F in April, 54.8°F in May, 65.3°F in June, 49.9°F in October. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Brown Trout 44 plants
Plants
44 of 61
Last stocked
April 28, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 17 plants
Plants
17 of 61
Last stocked
October 29, 2018

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 3,0001979
  • 3,0001980
  • 3,0001981
  • 2,0001982
  • 2,5001983
  • 2,5001984
  • 2,7701985
  • 2,8201986
  • 3,0501987
  • 3,0001988
  • 3,0001989
  • 2,8991990
  • 2,8401991
  • 2,9801992
  • 2,7291993
  • 3,0001994
  • 2,8601995
  • 2,8471996
  • 3,1171997
  • 2,9501998
  • 3,0001999
  • 3,2002000
  • 7,0822001
  • 3,0302002
  • 3,0192003
  • 3,0002004
  • 3,0002005
  • 2,9992006
  • 2,7952007
  • 2,9982008
  • 3,3002009
  • 3,4002010
  • 3,0002011
  • 3,2302013
  • 2,9992014
  • 3,1982016
  • 6,1982017
  • 7,9962018
  • 2,9432019
  • 3,1902020
  • 2,9902022
  • 2,7002023
  • 2,8002024
  • 2,9982025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 61 plants Showing 61 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 28, 2025 Brown Trout 2,998 – report
April 8, 2024 Brown Trout 2,800 – report
April 18, 2023 Brown Trout 2,700 – report
April 21, 2022 Brown Trout 2,990 – report
April 13, 2020 Brown Trout 3,190 – report
April 16, 2019 Brown Trout 2,943 – report
October 29, 2018 Rainbow Trout 5,000 – report
May 15, 2018 Brown Trout 2,996 – report
May 11, 2017 Brown Trout 3,099 – report
April 13, 2017 Rainbow Trout 3,099 – report
April 5, 2016 Brown Trout 3,198 – report
May 28, 2014 Brown Trout 2,999 – report
April 25, 2013 Brown Trout 3,230 – report
April 13, 2011 Brown Trout 3,000 – report
April 7, 2010 Brown Trout 3,400 – report
April 22, 2009 Brown Trout 3,300 – report
April 22, 2008 Brown Trout 2,998 – report
April 3, 2007 Brown Trout 2,795 – report
April 14, 2006 Brown Trout 2,999 – report
April 22, 2005 Brown Trout 3,000 – report
April 6, 2004 Brown Trout 3,000 – report
April 23, 2003 Brown Trout 3,019 – report
May 1, 2002 Brown Trout 3,030 – report
April 25, 2001 Brown Trout 4,502 – report
April 24, 2001 Brown Trout 2,580 – report
April 5, 2000 Brown Trout 3,200 – report
April 26, 1999 Brown Trout 3,000 – report
April 15, 1998 Brown Trout 2,950 – report
April 29, 1997 Brown Trout 3,117 – report
May 20, 1996 Brown Trout 2,847 – report
April 28, 1995 Brown Trout 2,860 – report
April 21, 1994 Brown Trout 3,000 – report
April 21, 1993 Rainbow Trout 1,739 – report
April 19, 1993 Brown Trout 990 – report
May 6, 1992 Brown Trout 980 – report
April 30, 1992 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
April 17, 1991 Rainbow Trout 1,840 – report
April 15, 1991 Brown Trout 1,000 – report
May 3, 1990 Rainbow Trout 1,999 – report
April 25, 1990 Brown Trout 900 – report
May 23, 1989 Brown Trout 1,000 – report
April 21, 1989 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
April 27, 1988 Brown Trout 1,000 – report
April 27, 1988 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
May 28, 1987 Brown Trout 850 – report
May 8, 1987 Rainbow Trout 2,200 – report
May 1, 1986 Brown Trout 820 – report
May 1, 1986 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
May 15, 1985 Brown Trout 770 – report
May 6, 1985 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
May 7, 1984 Rainbow Trout 1,500 – report
May 3, 1984 Brown Trout 1,000 – report
May 6, 1983 Rainbow Trout 1,500 – report
April 26, 1983 Brown Trout 1,000 – report
May 26, 1982 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
May 13, 1981 Brown Trout 1,000 – report
April 27, 1981 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
May 2, 1980 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
April 14, 1980 Brown Trout 1,000 – report
June 5, 1979 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
April 30, 1979 Brown Trout 1,000 – report
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Species stocked here

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

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