Lake Ellen fishing

Fishing at Lake Ellen has Rainbow Trout, Splake, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.2 times a year since 1980, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brook Trout and Brown Trout.

Last stocked

April 28, 2026

Plants on record

56

Since 1980

Species recorded

4

Surface acres

139.9

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

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

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Lake Ellen is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of May. In 2026 it was April 28, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 1982.

About 2,247 reported fish per acre, 11th most of 22 lakes in Iron County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Lake Ellen

Fishing Lake Ellen is most likely to be for Splake. Splake accounts for 50 of 56 plants on record, ahead of Brook Trout and 2 more.

Splake 50 plants
Plants
50 of 56
Last stocked
April 28, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Splake guide.

Brook Trout 4 plants
Plants
4 of 56
Last stocked
May 18, 1993

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Brown Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 56
Last stocked
May 12, 1989

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 56
Last stocked
June 12, 1980

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 7,2001980
  • 3,6001981
  • 3,6001983
  • 7,2001984
  • 8,6901985
  • 6,7001986
  • 7,2001987
  • 8,3521988
  • 7,5501989
  • 7,2001990
  • 4,6201991
  • 7,2001992
  • 8,3001993
  • 7,2001994
  • 7,2001995
  • 7,2001996
  • 14,0001997
  • 11,7001998
  • 14,0001999
  • 8,0002000
  • 9,5102001
  • 8,0502002
  • 8,9962003
  • 9,7852004
  • 9,9902005
  • 9,9972006
  • 6,8902007
  • 7,2002008
  • 7,4992009
  • 7,1982010
  • 7,1992011
  • 7,1972012
  • 4,2972013
  • 4,3002014
  • 3,9862015
  • 4,2952016
  • 4,2982017
  • 4,2972018
  • 4,3002019
  • 4,7172020
  • 4,2972021
  • 4,6982022
  • 2,1032023
  • 3,8992024
  • 4,2992025
  • 4,3002026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 56 plants Showing 56 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 28, 2026 Splake 4,300 – report
May 19, 2025 Splake 4,299 – report
April 29, 2024 Splake 3,899 – report
May 19, 2023 Splake 2,103 – report
May 19, 2022 Splake 4,698 – report
April 12, 2021 Splake 4,297 – report
April 27, 2020 Splake 4,717 – report
April 30, 2019 Splake 4,300 – report
May 10, 2018 Splake 4,297 – report
April 18, 2017 Splake 4,298 – report
April 26, 2016 Splake 4,295 – report
April 24, 2015 Splake 3,986 – report
May 6, 2014 Splake 4,300 – report
May 9, 2013 Splake 4,297 – report
April 6, 2012 Splake 7,197 – report
April 25, 2011 Splake 7,199 – report
April 14, 2010 Splake 7,198 – report
April 23, 2009 Splake 7,499 – report
April 22, 2008 Splake 7,200 – report
April 24, 2007 Splake 6,890 – report
April 25, 2006 Splake 9,997 – report
April 18, 2005 Splake 9,990 – report
May 12, 2004 Splake 1,775 – report
April 28, 2004 Splake 8,010 – report
May 13, 2003 Splake 8,996 – report
April 30, 2002 Splake 8,050 – report
May 18, 2001 Splake 2,000 – report
May 7, 2001 Splake 7,510 – report
May 17, 2000 Splake 800 – report
April 20, 2000 Splake 7,200 – report
May 10, 1999 Splake 14,000 – report
April 24, 1998 Splake 11,700 – report
May 14, 1997 Splake 7,000 – report
May 9, 1997 Splake 7,000 – report
May 31, 1996 Splake 7,200 – report
May 2, 1995 Splake 7,200 – report
May 11, 1994 Splake 7,200 – report
May 18, 1993 Brook Trout 3,000 – report
May 12, 1993 Splake 5,300 – report
May 22, 1992 Splake 7,200 – report
June 10, 1991 Brook Trout 1,020 – report
April 30, 1991 Splake 3,600 – report
May 16, 1990 Splake 7,200 – report
May 12, 1989 Brown Trout 7,200 – report
May 10, 1989 Brook Trout 350 – report
May 10, 1988 Splake 3,352 – report
April 26, 1988 Splake 5,000 – report
April 18, 1987 Splake 7,200 – report
October 10, 1986 Splake 6,700 – report
September 26, 1985 Splake 5,000 – report
May 21, 1985 Splake 3,690 – report
October 8, 1984 Brook Trout 3,600 – report
May 15, 1984 Splake 3,600 – report
October 4, 1983 Splake 3,600 – report
September 28, 1981 Splake 3,600 – report
June 12, 1980 Rainbow Trout 7,200 – 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.

Nearest lakes