Gun Lake fishing

Gun Lake fishing has Muskellunge, Walleye, and Northern Pike on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 1979, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike.

Gun Lake
Photo: Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last stocked
April 29, 2026
· Walleye
Plants on record
61
Since 1979
Species recorded
3
Surface acres
2,765.4

Fish at Gun Lake

3 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Walleye Stocked · 46 plants · last April 29, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked April 29, 2026 · 46 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide
Muskellunge Stocked · 14 plants · last August 10, 1983 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked August 10, 1983 · 14 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Muskellunge species guide
Northern Pike Stocked · 1 plant · last May 22, 2003 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 22, 2003 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Northern Pike species guide

Gun Lake has populations of black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch. Popular fishing spots include Pickerel Cove on the southern shore, Bairds Cove on the left "wing" of the lake, and the many channels that protrude off the "butterfly" part of the lake. Freshwater crustaceans, known as crayfish, also have some residency in the lake in the summertime. In the winter, ice fishing is among the activities. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed October 5, 2026)

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

How Gun Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

About 754 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 9 lakes in Barry County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1979

1,677

Fish stocked in 1980

2,010

Fish stocked in 1981

4,002

Fish stocked in 1982

1,742

Fish stocked in 1983

4,839

Fish stocked in 1991

300,000

Fish stocked in 2003

137

Fish stocked in 2011

143,607

Fish stocked in 2012

124,742

Fish stocked in 2013

48,437

Fish stocked in 2014

39,852

Fish stocked in 2015

62,331

Fish stocked in 2016

61,221

Fish stocked in 2017

91,697

Fish stocked in 2018

65,077

Fish stocked in 2019

72,617

Fish stocked in 2021

28,421

Fish stocked in 2022

93,489

Fish stocked in 2023

71,928

Fish stocked in 2024

52,033

Fish stocked in 2025

26,012

Fish stocked in 2026

788,330

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 29, 2026Walleye788,330–report
May 28, 2025Walleye26,012–report
May 29, 2024Walleye51,045–report
May 26, 2024Walleye988–report
June 9, 2023Walleye21,526–report
June 8, 2023Walleye15,095–report
June 7, 2023Walleye1,124–report
June 7, 2023Walleye34,183–report
June 23, 2022Walleye54,600–report
June 5, 2022Walleye5,033–report
June 4, 2022Walleye18,075–report
June 3, 2022Walleye15,781–report
May 30, 2021Walleye12,689–report
May 29, 2021Walleye14,915–report
May 28, 2021Walleye817–report
June 11, 2019Walleye22,355–report
June 9, 2019Walleye11,965–report
June 8, 2019Walleye21,739–report
June 7, 2019Walleye16,558–report
May 31, 2018Walleye24,485–report
May 27, 2018Walleye8,860–report
May 26, 2018Walleye14,493–report
May 25, 2018Walleye17,239–report
June 13, 2017Walleye15,340–report
June 8, 2017Walleye30,591–report
June 8, 2017Walleye15,345–report
May 28, 2017Walleye9,685–report
May 27, 2017Walleye10,412–report
May 26, 2017Walleye10,324–report
May 27, 2016Walleye61,221–report
June 4, 2015Walleye40,373–report
June 1, 2015Walleye21,958–report
June 1, 2014Walleye6,880–report
May 31, 2014Walleye10,491–report
May 30, 2014Walleye22,481–report
May 26, 2013Walleye15,784–report
May 25, 2013Walleye18,217–report
May 24, 2013Walleye14,436–report
May 22, 2012Walleye75,810–report
May 19, 2012Walleye23,373–report
May 18, 2012Walleye25,559–report
June 1, 2011Walleye94,439–report
May 29, 2011Walleye16,571–report
May 28, 2011Walleye20,784–report
May 27, 2011Walleye11,813–report
May 22, 2003Northern Pike137–report
April 26, 1991Walleye300,000–report
August 10, 1983Muskellunge1,823–report
August 4, 1983Muskellunge434–report
August 3, 1983Muskellunge1,768–report
August 2, 1983Muskellunge814–report
August 11, 1982Muskellunge1,742–report
August 12, 1981Muskellunge600–report
August 6, 1981Muskellunge2,305–report
August 4, 1981Muskellunge425–report
August 4, 1981Muskellunge672–report
September 16, 1980Muskellunge585–report
September 5, 1980Muskellunge1,425–report
August 31, 1979Muskellunge356–report
August 31, 1979Muskellunge660–report
August 17, 1979Muskellunge661–report

Access and facts

Nearest town
Orangeville
Facilities
restrooms, camping, dock

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.

About Gun Lake

On the weekends many boats gather there because of the shallow, sandy rim around the island. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed October 5, 2026)

According to the last Michigan DNR report in 1991, the lake is most famous for its large walleye population, although they only make up about 8.6 percent of the lake's fish. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed October 5, 2026)

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

Photo of Gun Lake
Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nearest lakes

Dagget Lake 4 mi last stocked October 30, 1991 Lake Sixteen 5.4 mi last stocked April 30, 2003 Carter Lake 11.7 mi last stocked May 14, 1991 Sugarbush Lake 13.1 mi last stocked April 16, 1984 Miner Lake 13.9 mi last stocked May 24, 1996

Common questions

What fish are at Gun Lake?

Fishing Gun Lake usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 46 of 61 plants on record, ahead of Muskellunge and one more. Walleye was last stocked April 29, 2026. Muskellunge was last stocked August 10, 1983. Northern Pike was last stocked May 22, 2003.

When is Gun Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 29, 2026. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 1979, most often in May and June. About 754 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 9 lakes in Barry County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 26 years between 1979 and 2026.

How do you get on Gun Lake?

The nearest town is Orangeville. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and dock.

Sources (6) +