Lake Macatawa

Lake Macatawa fishing

Fishing at Lake Macatawa has Muskellunge, Walleye, Tiger Muskie, Largemouth Bass, Chinook Salmon, and Lake Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 2.5 times a year since 1979, most often in April and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge and Largemouth Bass, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, and dawn for Lake Trout.

Last stocked

June 9, 2026

Plants on record

118

Since 1979

Species recorded

6

Surface acres

1,817.4

Access and facts

Nearest town
Holland
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

The Macatawa River enters the lake in Holland, which connects to Lake Michigan through Holland Harbor. 3 DNR-listed boating access sites serve the lake, the largest with 6 launch lanes. Administered by Holland State Park; a Recreation Passport is required. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee , shore_notes , nearest_town , fishing_notes

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How Lake Macatawa is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of April. In 2026 it was June 9, 2026, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 8 years between 1979 and 2026.

About 19,570 reported fish per acre, the most of 3 lakes in Ottawa County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Lake Macatawa

Fishing Lake Macatawa is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 66 of 118 plants on record, ahead of Muskellunge and 4 more.

Walleye 66 plants
Plants
66 of 118
Last stocked
June 9, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Muskellunge 26 plants
Plants
26 of 118
Last stocked
November 13, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Chinook Salmon 14 plants
Plants
14 of 118
Last stocked
May 6, 2022

Seasons and rigs are on the Chinook Salmon guide.

Lake Trout 10 plants
Plants
10 of 118
Last stocked
April 3, 2017

Seasons and rigs are on the Lake Trout guide.

Largemouth Bass 1 plant
Plants
1 of 118
Last stocked
October 21, 1992

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Tiger Muskie 1 plant
Plants
1 of 118
Last stocked
October 9, 1987

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Fishing Lake Macatawa

Lake Macatawa offers fishing opportunities, with Holland State Park providing fishing access. In the City of Holland, Kollen Park includes a boat launch and fishing access for anglers. Howard B. Dunton Park in Holland Charter Township further provides shoreline boardwalks and fishing access.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 42,1461979
  • 135,5531980
  • 872,7501981
  • 1,185,0001982
  • 1,000,0001984
  • 1,000,0001985
  • 650,0001986
  • 1,005,0001987
  • 1,076,5001988
  • 1,035,0001989
  • 500,0001990
  • 3,239,7001991
  • 10,4321992
  • 3,500,0001994
  • 6,000,0001995
  • 1,652,7041997
  • 1,600,0001999
  • 1,200,0002001
  • 3,250,0002003
  • 4,105,3302006
  • 44,2842007
  • 101,2612008
  • 135,7522009
  • 108,0312010
  • 83,7852011
  • 174,9682012
  • 41,6012013
  • 133,3182014
  • 790,9202015
  • 86,7982016
  • 92,1152017
  • 150,4142018
  • 87,0162019
  • 75,7722020
  • 41,9642021
  • 141,5772022
  • 118,5612023
  • 30,6762024
  • 16,6252025
  • 51,0492026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 118 plants Showing 118 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 9, 2026 Walleye 51,049 – report
June 5, 2025 Walleye 16,625 – report
November 13, 2024 Muskellunge 2,546 – report
October 5, 2024 Walleye 610 – report
June 8, 2024 Walleye 27,520 – report
October 10, 2023 Walleye 527 – report
June 8, 2023 Walleye 44,879 – report
June 8, 2023 Walleye 31,175 – report
June 8, 2023 Walleye 31,175 – report
June 7, 2023 Walleye 10,805 – report
November 3, 2022 Muskellunge 2,548 – report
October 19, 2022 Walleye 497 – report
June 8, 2022 Walleye 48,000 – report
June 2, 2022 Walleye 37,838 – report
May 6, 2022 Chinook Salmon 52,694 – report
November 3, 2021 Walleye 307 – report
August 26, 2021 Muskellunge 36,657 – report
June 6, 2021 Walleye 5,000 – report
April 27, 2020 Chinook Salmon 75,772 – report
June 13, 2019 Walleye 44,000 – report
June 6, 2019 Walleye 43,016 – report
August 27, 2018 Muskellunge 17,636 – report
August 15, 2018 Muskellunge 7,860 – report
June 6, 2018 Walleye 43,280 – report
June 5, 2018 Walleye 41,685 – report
May 9, 2018 Chinook Salmon 39,953 – report
October 5, 2017 Walleye 279 – report
June 5, 2017 Walleye 72,536 – report
April 3, 2017 Lake Trout 19,300 – report
October 25, 2016 Walleye 483 – report
June 3, 2016 Walleye 46,728 – report
May 20, 2016 Chinook Salmon 15,127 – report
April 13, 2016 Lake Trout 24,460 – report
October 13, 2015 Walleye 230 – report
July 9, 2015 Muskellunge 49,952 – report
June 4, 2015 Walleye 50,381 – report
May 9, 2015 Chinook Salmon 16,068 – report
May 5, 2015 Walleye 650,000 – report
April 8, 2015 Lake Trout 24,289 – report
October 29, 2014 Muskellunge 2,669 – report
June 26, 2014 Walleye 91,285 – report
May 8, 2014 Chinook Salmon 15,076 – report
April 21, 2014 Lake Trout 24,288 – report
November 13, 2013 Muskellunge 2,659 – report
May 13, 2013 Chinook Salmon 15,039 – report
April 15, 2013 Lake Trout 23,903 – report
November 13, 2012 Muskellunge 3,399 – report
May 22, 2012 Walleye 85,098 – report
May 3, 2012 Chinook Salmon 45,520 – report
March 20, 2012 Lake Trout 25,105 – report
March 20, 2012 Lake Trout 15,846 – report
May 12, 2011 Chinook Salmon 43,800 – report
March 31, 2011 Lake Trout 19,995 – report
March 31, 2011 Lake Trout 19,990 – report
June 3, 2010 Walleye 760 – report
June 3, 2010 Walleye 10,015 – report
June 2, 2010 Walleye 7,455 – report
May 14, 2010 Chinook Salmon 44,831 – report
March 22, 2010 Lake Trout 44,970 – report
June 2, 2009 Walleye 90,734 – report
May 20, 2009 Chinook Salmon 45,018 – report
June 18, 2008 Walleye 58,841 – report
May 13, 2008 Chinook Salmon 42,420 – report
May 10, 2007 Chinook Salmon 44,284 – report
May 19, 2006 Chinook Salmon 44,605 – report
May 4, 2006 Walleye 2,015,925 – report
May 4, 2006 Walleye 2,044,800 – report
May 9, 2003 Walleye 1,250,000 – report
April 25, 2003 Walleye 550,000 – report
April 22, 2003 Walleye 1,450,000 – report
May 10, 2001 Walleye 500,000 – report
April 30, 2001 Walleye 700,000 – report
April 27, 1999 Walleye 650,000 – report
April 23, 1999 Walleye 950,000 – report
September 19, 1997 Muskellunge 2,704 – report
April 21, 1997 Walleye 1,650,000 – report
May 2, 1995 Walleye 700,000 – report
April 26, 1995 Walleye 1,700,000 – report
April 21, 1995 Walleye 1,300,000 – report
April 17, 1995 Walleye 2,300,000 – report
May 2, 1994 Walleye 400,000 – report
April 28, 1994 Walleye 3,100,000 – report
October 21, 1992 Largemouth Bass 10,432 – report
April 29, 1991 Walleye 250,000 – report
April 17, 1991 Walleye 2,989,700 – report
April 23, 1990 Walleye 500,000 – report
May 10, 1989 Walleye 1,035,000 – report
May 5, 1988 Muskellunge 76,500 – report
April 25, 1988 Walleye 1,000,000 – report
October 9, 1987 Tiger Muskie 3,015 – report
September 23, 1987 Muskellunge 1,985 – report
April 18, 1987 Walleye 1,000,000 – report
April 28, 1986 Walleye 650,000 – report
April 26, 1985 Walleye 500,000 – report
April 26, 1985 Walleye 500,000 – report
April 20, 1984 Walleye 1,000,000 – report
June 11, 1982 Muskellunge 80,000 – report
May 27, 1982 Muskellunge 105,000 – report
April 28, 1982 Walleye 1,000,000 – report
August 10, 1981 Muskellunge 3,000 – report
May 8, 1981 Muskellunge 12,750 – report
April 20, 1981 Walleye 75,000 – report
April 20, 1981 Walleye 260,667 – report
April 20, 1981 Walleye 260,666 – report
April 20, 1981 Walleye 260,667 – report
September 5, 1980 Muskellunge 1,334 – report
September 5, 1980 Muskellunge 666 – report
June 13, 1980 Muskellunge 66,013 – report
May 23, 1980 Muskellunge 67,540 – report
August 23, 1979 Walleye 5,320 – report
August 8, 1979 Walleye 508 – report
July 26, 1979 Walleye 678 – report
June 28, 1979 Muskellunge 5,940 – report
June 28, 1979 Muskellunge 5,940 – report
June 28, 1979 Muskellunge 5,940 – report
June 28, 1979 Muskellunge 5,940 – report
June 28, 1979 Muskellunge 5,940 – report
June 28, 1979 Muskellunge 5,940 – 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