Lake Winyah fishing

Fishing at Lake Winyah is on a reservoir, stocked with Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Walleye, Bluegill, Crappie, and Yellow Perch, and 2 more. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 1990, most often in October and November. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch, dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass, and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie.

Last stocked

October 29, 2024

Plants on record

17

Since 1990

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

1,258.1

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Alpena

Also called Seven Mile Pond, a 1,530-acre impoundment of the Thunder Bay River created in 1924 for hydroelectric power. The only public access is near the dam on the north shore, where a parking lot is available.

Sources: water_type , access , nearest_town , speciesFound

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How Lake Winyah is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of October. In 2024 it was October 29, 2024, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 21 years between 1990 and 2024.

Lake Esau (14.9 mi) and Avalon Lake (19.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Esau is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Lake Winyah

Fishing Lake Winyah is most likely to be for Muskellunge. Muskellunge accounts for 12 of 17 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and one more.

Muskellunge 12 plants
Plants
12 of 17
Last stocked
October 29, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Walleye 3 plants
Plants
3 of 17
Last stocked
May 1, 2018

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Northern Pike 2 plants
Plants
2 of 17
Last stocked
June 11, 1991

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 10,0001990
  • 10,0001991
  • 2,3712005
  • 2,6382006
  • 3,8772008
  • 53,3972012
  • 2,2862013
  • 2,2952014
  • 52,2852016
  • 1,000,0002018
  • 4952019
  • 2,2912021
  • 2,2942022
  • 2,2942024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 17 plants Showing 17 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
October 29, 2024 Muskellunge 2,294 – report
October 31, 2022 Muskellunge 1,900 – report
October 24, 2022 Muskellunge 394 – report
November 3, 2021 Muskellunge 2,291 – report
June 6, 2019 Muskellunge 495 – report
May 1, 2018 Walleye 1,000,000 – report
November 9, 2016 Muskellunge 2,285 – report
June 7, 2016 Walleye 50,000 – report
November 13, 2014 Muskellunge 2,295 – report
November 5, 2013 Muskellunge 2,286 – report
November 8, 2012 Muskellunge 2,997 – report
June 5, 2012 Walleye 50,400 – report
November 11, 2008 Muskellunge 3,877 – report
October 25, 2006 Muskellunge 2,638 – report
October 26, 2005 Muskellunge 2,371 – report
June 11, 1991 Northern Pike 10,000 – report
May 15, 1990 Northern Pike 10,000 – report
Show 2 more plants Show less

Species found here

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

  • Bluegill : Part of a diverse panfish community documented in MDNR's survey of the impoundment. (source)
  • Black Crappie : Part of a diverse panfish community documented in MDNR's survey of the impoundment. (source)
  • Yellow Perch : Part of a diverse panfish community documented in MDNR's survey of the impoundment. (source)
  • Smallmouth Bass : Available to anglers alongside largemouth bass and walleye per MDNR's survey. (source)
  • Largemouth Bass : A keystone predator on panfish populations per MDNR's survey of the impoundment. (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