Lake Ellen fishing

Lake Ellen fishing 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.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
April 28, 2026
· Splake
Plants on record
56
Since 1980
Species recorded
4
Surface acres
139.9

Fish at Lake Ellen

4 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Splake Stocked · 50 plants · last April 28, 2026

Last stocked April 28, 2026 · 50 plants

Splake species guide
Brook Trout Stocked · 4 plants · last May 18, 1993 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 18, 1993 · 4 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brook Trout species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 1 plant · last May 12, 1989 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 12, 1989 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 1 plant · last June 12, 1980 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked June 12, 1980 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

How Lake Ellen is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

About 2,247 reported fish per acre, 8th most of 19 lakes in Iron County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1980

7,200

Fish stocked in 1981

3,600

Fish stocked in 1983

3,600

Fish stocked in 1984

7,200

Fish stocked in 1985

8,690

Fish stocked in 1986

6,700

Fish stocked in 1987

7,200

Fish stocked in 1988

8,352

Fish stocked in 1989

7,550

Fish stocked in 1990

7,200

Fish stocked in 1991

4,620

Fish stocked in 1992

7,200

Fish stocked in 1993

8,300

Fish stocked in 1994

7,200

Fish stocked in 1995

7,200

Fish stocked in 1996

7,200

Fish stocked in 1997

14,000

Fish stocked in 1998

11,700

Fish stocked in 1999

14,000

Fish stocked in 2000

8,000

Fish stocked in 2001

9,510

Fish stocked in 2002

8,050

Fish stocked in 2003

8,996

Fish stocked in 2004

9,785

Fish stocked in 2005

9,990

Fish stocked in 2006

9,997

Fish stocked in 2007

6,890

Fish stocked in 2008

7,200

Fish stocked in 2009

7,499

Fish stocked in 2010

7,198

Fish stocked in 2011

7,199

Fish stocked in 2012

7,197

Fish stocked in 2013

4,297

Fish stocked in 2014

4,300

Fish stocked in 2015

3,986

Fish stocked in 2016

4,295

Fish stocked in 2017

4,298

Fish stocked in 2018

4,297

Fish stocked in 2019

4,300

Fish stocked in 2020

4,717

Fish stocked in 2021

4,297

Fish stocked in 2022

4,698

Fish stocked in 2023

2,103

Fish stocked in 2024

3,899

Fish stocked in 2025

4,299

Fish stocked in 2026

4,300

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 28, 2026Splake4,300–report
May 19, 2025Splake4,299–report
April 29, 2024Splake3,899–report
May 19, 2023Splake2,103–report
May 19, 2022Splake4,698–report
April 12, 2021Splake4,297–report
April 27, 2020Splake4,717–report
April 30, 2019Splake4,300–report
May 10, 2018Splake4,297–report
April 18, 2017Splake4,298–report
April 26, 2016Splake4,295–report
April 24, 2015Splake3,986–report
May 6, 2014Splake4,300–report
May 9, 2013Splake4,297–report
April 6, 2012Splake7,197–report
April 25, 2011Splake7,199–report
April 14, 2010Splake7,198–report
April 23, 2009Splake7,499–report
April 22, 2008Splake7,200–report
April 24, 2007Splake6,890–report
April 25, 2006Splake9,997–report
April 18, 2005Splake9,990–report
May 12, 2004Splake1,775–report
April 28, 2004Splake8,010–report
May 13, 2003Splake8,996–report
April 30, 2002Splake8,050–report
May 18, 2001Splake2,000–report
May 7, 2001Splake7,510–report
May 17, 2000Splake800–report
April 20, 2000Splake7,200–report
May 10, 1999Splake14,000–report
April 24, 1998Splake11,700–report
May 14, 1997Splake7,000–report
May 9, 1997Splake7,000–report
May 31, 1996Splake7,200–report
May 2, 1995Splake7,200–report
May 11, 1994Splake7,200–report
May 18, 1993Brook Trout3,000–report
May 12, 1993Splake5,300–report
May 22, 1992Splake7,200–report
June 10, 1991Brook Trout1,020–report
April 30, 1991Splake3,600–report
May 16, 1990Splake7,200–report
May 12, 1989Brown Trout7,200–report
May 10, 1989Brook Trout350–report
May 10, 1988Splake3,352–report
April 26, 1988Splake5,000–report
April 18, 1987Splake7,200–report
October 10, 1986Splake6,700–report
September 26, 1985Splake5,000–report
May 21, 1985Splake3,690–report
October 8, 1984Brook Trout3,600–report
May 15, 1984Splake3,600–report
October 4, 1983Splake3,600–report
September 28, 1981Splake3,600–report
June 12, 1980Rainbow Trout7,200–report

Access and facts

Nearest town
Channing
Facilities
restrooms, dock

About 4 miles west of Channing via Campground Road. The DNR boating access site (Lake Ellen SFCG) has 1 paved lane deep enough for most trailered boats, 1 pier and a vault toilet. Administered by Bewabic State Park; Recreation Passport required.

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

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

Nearest lakes

Sawyer Lake 4.3 mi last stocked June 25, 2019 Edey Lake 4.8 mi last stocked June 6, 1983 Railroad Lake 5 mi last stocked June 1, 1983 Dawson Lake 6.9 mi last stocked May 17, 1990 Bed Spring Lake 8.5 mi last stocked October 19, 2016

Common questions

What fish are at Lake Ellen?

Fishing Lake Ellen usually means Splake: Splake accounts for 50 of 56 plants on record, ahead of Brook Trout and 2 more. Splake was last stocked April 28, 2026. Brook Trout was last stocked May 18, 1993. Brown Trout was last stocked May 12, 1989. Rainbow Trout was last stocked June 12, 1980.

When is Lake Ellen stocked?

Last stocked April 28, 2026. It is stocked about 1.2 times a year since 1980, most often in April and May. About 2,247 reported fish per acre, 8th most of 19 lakes in Iron County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 1982.

How do you get on Lake Ellen?

The nearest town is Channing. Facilities include restrooms and dock. About 4 miles west of Channing via Campground Road. The DNR boating access site (Lake Ellen SFCG) has 1 paved lane deep enough for most trailered boats, 1 pier and a vault toilet. Administered by Bewabic State Park; Recreation Passport required.

Sources (5) +