Lake Esau fishing

Fishing at Lake Esau is on a natural lake, stocked with Splake, Brown Trout, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1987, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Yellow Perch, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, and dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass.

Last stocked

June 10, 2025

Plants on record

14

Since 1987

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

318.5

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake

A 275-acre natural lake between Rogers City and Alpena. A county access site is provided along the northeast shore; the rest of the shoreline is privately held.

Sources: water_type , access , speciesFound

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How Lake Esau is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of June. In 2025 it was June 10, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 26 years between 1987 and 2025.

About 697 reported fish per acre, the most of 4 lakes in Presque Isle County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Avalon Lake (27.9 mi) was stocked more recently. Avalon Lake is also stocked with Splake and Brown Trout.

Fish at Lake Esau

Fishing Lake Esau is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 9 of 14 plants on record, ahead of Splake and one more.

Walleye 9 plants
Plants
9 of 14
Last stocked
June 10, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Splake 4 plants
Plants
4 of 14
Last stocked
April 16, 1990

Seasons and rigs are on the Splake guide.

Brown Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 14
Last stocked
May 10, 1989

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 15,0001987
  • 14,5001988
  • 14,9551989
  • 15,0001990
  • 17,7002008
  • 33,0892009
  • 14,4002012
  • 17,8772014
  • 13,7502016
  • 25,1192018
  • 11,8442021
  • 15,2842023
  • 13,4622025

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 10, 2025 Walleye 13,462 – report
June 7, 2023 Walleye 15,284 – report
June 17, 2021 Walleye 11,844 – report
June 11, 2018 Walleye 25,119 – report
June 8, 2016 Walleye 13,750 – report
June 17, 2014 Walleye 17,877 – report
June 5, 2012 Walleye 14,400 – report
June 25, 2009 Walleye 33,089 – report
July 9, 2008 Walleye 17,700 – report
April 16, 1990 Splake 15,000 – report
May 10, 1989 Brown Trout 14,955 – report
April 15, 1988 Splake 14,500 – report
May 12, 1987 Splake 11,000 – report
May 12, 1987 Splake 4,000 – report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Smallmouth Bass : Predator population dominated by Smallmouth Bass and Walleye per MDNR survey; good numbers of 14-17 inch bass documented. (source)
  • Yellow Perch : Abundant with growth near the state average; a Master Angler award was recorded for Yellow Perch from the lake in 2018. (source)
  • Rock Bass : A Master Angler award was recorded for Rock Bass from the lake in 2001. (source)

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