Guernsey Lake fishing

Guernsey Lake fishing has Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Yellow perch. 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 Yellow perch and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
April 28, 2025
· Brown Trout
Plants on record
61
Since 1979
Species stocked
2 (+1 also recorded)
Surface acres
30.9

Fish at Guernsey Lake

2 stocked · 1 confirmed present

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 Stocked · 44 plants · last April 28, 2025 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked April 28, 2025 · 44 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 17 plants · last October 29, 2018 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked October 29, 2018 · 17 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

How Guernsey Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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 stocked in 1979

3,000

Fish stocked in 1980

3,000

Fish stocked in 1981

3,000

Fish stocked in 1982

2,000

Fish stocked in 1983

2,500

Fish stocked in 1984

2,500

Fish stocked in 1985

2,770

Fish stocked in 1986

2,820

Fish stocked in 1987

3,050

Fish stocked in 1988

3,000

Fish stocked in 1989

3,000

Fish stocked in 1990

2,899

Fish stocked in 1991

2,840

Fish stocked in 1992

2,980

Fish stocked in 1993

2,729

Fish stocked in 1994

3,000

Fish stocked in 1995

2,860

Fish stocked in 1996

2,847

Fish stocked in 1997

3,117

Fish stocked in 1998

2,950

Fish stocked in 1999

3,000

Fish stocked in 2000

3,200

Fish stocked in 2001

7,082

Fish stocked in 2002

3,030

Fish stocked in 2003

3,019

Fish stocked in 2004

3,000

Fish stocked in 2005

3,000

Fish stocked in 2006

2,999

Fish stocked in 2007

2,795

Fish stocked in 2008

2,998

Fish stocked in 2009

3,300

Fish stocked in 2010

3,400

Fish stocked in 2011

3,000

Fish stocked in 2013

3,230

Fish stocked in 2014

2,999

Fish stocked in 2016

3,198

Fish stocked in 2017

6,198

Fish stocked in 2018

7,996

Fish stocked in 2019

2,943

Fish stocked in 2020

3,190

Fish stocked in 2022

2,990

Fish stocked in 2023

2,700

Fish stocked in 2024

2,800

Fish stocked in 2025

2,998

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 28, 2025Brown Trout2,998–report
April 8, 2024Brown Trout2,800–report
April 18, 2023Brown Trout2,700–report
April 21, 2022Brown Trout2,990–report
April 13, 2020Brown Trout3,190–report
April 16, 2019Brown Trout2,943–report
October 29, 2018Rainbow Trout5,000–report
May 15, 2018Brown Trout2,996–report
May 11, 2017Brown Trout3,099–report
April 13, 2017Rainbow Trout3,099–report
April 5, 2016Brown Trout3,198–report
May 28, 2014Brown Trout2,999–report
April 25, 2013Brown Trout3,230–report
April 13, 2011Brown Trout3,000–report
April 7, 2010Brown Trout3,400–report
April 22, 2009Brown Trout3,300–report
April 22, 2008Brown Trout2,998–report
April 3, 2007Brown Trout2,795–report
April 14, 2006Brown Trout2,999–report
April 22, 2005Brown Trout3,000–report
April 6, 2004Brown Trout3,000–report
April 23, 2003Brown Trout3,019–report
May 1, 2002Brown Trout3,030–report
April 25, 2001Brown Trout4,502–report
April 24, 2001Brown Trout2,580–report
April 5, 2000Brown Trout3,200–report
April 26, 1999Brown Trout3,000–report
April 15, 1998Brown Trout2,950–report
April 29, 1997Brown Trout3,117–report
May 20, 1996Brown Trout2,847–report
April 28, 1995Brown Trout2,860–report
April 21, 1994Brown Trout3,000–report
April 21, 1993Rainbow Trout1,739–report
April 19, 1993Brown Trout990–report
May 6, 1992Brown Trout980–report
April 30, 1992Rainbow Trout2,000–report
April 17, 1991Rainbow Trout1,840–report
April 15, 1991Brown Trout1,000–report
May 3, 1990Rainbow Trout1,999–report
April 25, 1990Brown Trout900–report
May 23, 1989Brown Trout1,000–report
April 21, 1989Rainbow Trout2,000–report
April 27, 1988Brown Trout1,000–report
April 27, 1988Rainbow Trout2,000–report
May 28, 1987Brown Trout850–report
May 8, 1987Rainbow Trout2,200–report
May 1, 1986Brown Trout820–report
May 1, 1986Rainbow Trout2,000–report
May 15, 1985Brown Trout770–report
May 6, 1985Rainbow Trout2,000–report
May 7, 1984Rainbow Trout1,500–report
May 3, 1984Brown Trout1,000–report
May 6, 1983Rainbow Trout1,500–report
April 26, 1983Brown Trout1,000–report
May 26, 1982Rainbow Trout2,000–report
May 13, 1981Brown Trout1,000–report
April 27, 1981Rainbow Trout2,000–report
May 2, 1980Rainbow Trout2,000–report
April 14, 1980Brown Trout1,000–report
June 5, 1979Rainbow Trout2,000–report
April 30, 1979Brown Trout1,000–report

Access and facts

Nearest town
Kalkaska
Facilities
restrooms, camping

Gravel ramp for smaller boats (1 lane, 4 trailer and 4 car spots, vault toilet) at the state forest campground, reached by a signed two-track off Guernsey Lake Road. The DNR says a small boat fishes it best, as the soft bottom makes wading tricky.

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

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

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

Nearest lakes

Lake Skegemog 6.9 mi last stocked November 8, 2023 Rennie Lake 7.3 mi last stocked October 1, 1991 Log Lake 9.3 mi last stocked April 21, 2004 Fife Lake 10 mi last stocked June 4, 2025 Elk Lake 10.6 mi last stocked April 14, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Guernsey Lake?

Fishing Guernsey Lake usually means Brown Trout: Brown Trout accounts for 44 of 61 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout. Brown Trout was last stocked April 28, 2025. Rainbow Trout was last stocked October 29, 2018. Yellow perch is recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Guernsey Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 28, 2025. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 1979, most often in April and May. About 4,593 reported fish per acre, the most of 8 lakes in Kalkaska County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2012, 2015, and 2021.

How do you get on Guernsey Lake?

The nearest town is Kalkaska. Facilities include restrooms and camping. Gravel ramp for smaller boats (1 lane, 4 trailer and 4 car spots, vault toilet) at the state forest campground, reached by a signed two-track off Guernsey Lake Road. The DNR says a small boat fishes it best, as the soft bottom makes wading tricky.

Which lakes near Guernsey Lake were stocked more recently?

Fife Lake (10 mi) and Elk Lake (10.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Elk Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.

Sources (4) +