Manistee Lake fishing

Fishing at Manistee Lake has Walleye, Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 2006, most often in June and October. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill and Northern Pike, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

Last stocked

June 25, 2026

Plants on record

Since 2006

Species recorded

Surface acres

873.8

Access and facts

Nearest town: Kalkaska
Boat ramp: Yes

Public access is available at a county-owned park with a boat launch on the southwestern corner; several east-shore road endings also allow access.

Sources: access , nearest_town , speciesFound

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How Manistee Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of June. In 2026 it was June 25, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 12 years between 2006 and 2026.

About 519 reported fish per acre, 5th most of 8 lakes in Kalkaska County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Manistee Lake

Fishing Manistee Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. All 10 plants on record are Walleye.

Walleye 10 plants

Plants: 10 of 10
Last stocked: June 25, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fish stocked per year

34,4252006
42,6502011
147,5722013
44,4012016
47,5192018
47,6602022
7642024
42,9502025
45,7752026

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
June 25, 2026	Walleye	45,775	–	report
June 3, 2025	Walleye	42,950	–	report
October 23, 2024	Walleye	764	–	report
June 28, 2022	Walleye	10,000	–	report
June 15, 2022	Walleye	37,660	–	report
June 14, 2018	Walleye	47,519	–	report
June 22, 2016	Walleye	44,401	–	report
June 20, 2013	Walleye	147,572	–	report
June 16, 2011	Walleye	42,650	–	report
June 20, 2006	Walleye	34,425	–	report

Species found here

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

Bluegill : Most frequently collected species (341 fish, 33.5% of the 2014 MDNR survey catch). (source)
Black Crappie : 233 fish (6-13 in) collected in MDNR's 2014 fish community survey. (source)
Largemouth Bass : Documented present in MDNR's 2014 fish community survey. (source)
Smallmouth Bass : Documented present in MDNR's 2014 fish community survey. (source)
Northern Pike : Documented present in MDNR's 2014 fish community survey. (source)

Species stocked here

Walleye (10)

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.