Northern Pike Stocked · 5 plants · last May 9, 1991 Best: dawn, day, dusk Murphy Lake fishing
Murphy Lake fishing is stocked with Muskellunge, Tiger Muskie, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye on a reservoir. Also recorded: Bluegill, Black crappie, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Common carp, Brown bullhead, and 1 more. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1979, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, and Common carp, dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow perch, and dusk and night for Channel Catfish and Brown bullhead.
- Last stocked
- June 18, 2025
- · Walleye
- Plants on record
- 18
- Since 1979
- Species stocked
- 6 (+7 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 183.4
Fish at Murphy Lake
Northern Pike Stocked · 5 plants · last May 9, 1991 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Walleye Stocked · 5 plants · last June 18, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Channel Catfish Stocked · 3 plants · last November 8, 1990 Best: dusk, night 
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 2 plants · last October 31, 1990 Best: dawn, dusk 
Tiger Muskie Stocked · 2 plants · last August 9, 1983 Last stocked August 9, 1983 · 2 plants
Tiger Muskie species guide
Muskellunge Stocked · 1 plant · last August 16, 1979 Best: dawn, dusk 
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Black crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black crappie species guide
Yellow perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow perch species guide
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide
Common carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common carp species guide
Brown bullhead Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Brown bullhead species guide Green sunfish Confirmed present
How Murphy Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 34 years between 1979 and 2025.
Fish stocked in 1979
1,200
Fish stocked in 1983
4,000
Fish stocked in 1985
4,637
Fish stocked in 1986
5,000
Fish stocked in 1988
22,000
Fish stocked in 1989
12,000
Fish stocked in 1990
23,712
Fish stocked in 1991
10,000
Fish stocked in 2010
10,435
Fish stocked in 2019
47,293
Fish stocked in 2021
8,508
Fish stocked in 2024
11,920
Fish stocked in 2025
24,645
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 18, 2025 | Walleye | 24,645 | – | report |
| June 27, 2024 | Walleye | 11,920 | – | report |
| July 10, 2021 | Walleye | 8,508 | – | report |
| June 25, 2019 | Walleye | 47,293 | – | report |
| June 11, 2010 | Walleye | 10,435 | – | report |
| May 9, 1991 | Northern Pike | 10,000 | – | report |
| November 8, 1990 | Channel Catfish | 10,712 | – | report |
| October 31, 1990 | Largemouth Bass | 7,000 | – | report |
| May 16, 1990 | Northern Pike | 6,000 | – | report |
| May 19, 1989 | Channel Catfish | 12,000 | – | report |
| October 26, 1988 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | – | report |
| September 17, 1988 | Channel Catfish | 13,000 | – | report |
| May 17, 1988 | Northern Pike | 4,000 | – | report |
| June 6, 1986 | Northern Pike | 5,000 | – | report |
| May 22, 1985 | Northern Pike | 4,637 | – | report |
| August 9, 1983 | Tiger Muskie | 1,000 | – | report |
| August 4, 1983 | Tiger Muskie | 3,000 | – | report |
| August 16, 1979 | Muskellunge | 1,200 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Millington, MI
About half the shore is in Murphy Lake State Game Area. The launch is off Murphy Lake Road at the lake's south end; DNR rates it a rough carry-down site with a small lot. Boats reach the main basin through the road culvert, which DNR says fits boats of about 16 feet or less.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Murphy Lake?
Fishing Murphy Lake is as likely for Northern Pike and Walleye. Each accounts for 5 of 18 plants on record. Northern Pike was last stocked May 9, 1991. Walleye was last stocked June 18, 2025. Channel Catfish was last stocked November 8, 1990. Largemouth Bass was last stocked October 31, 1990. 2 more species are on the stocking report. Bluegill, Black crappie, Yellow perch, and Pumpkinseed, plus 3 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Murphy Lake stocked?
Last stocked June 18, 2025. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1979, most often in May and June. No plants recorded in 34 years between 1979 and 2025.
How do you get on Murphy Lake?
The nearest town is Millington, MI. About half the shore is in Murphy Lake State Game Area. The launch is off Murphy Lake Road at the lake's south end; DNR rates it a rough carry-down site with a small lot. Boats reach the main basin through the road culvert, which DNR says fits boats of about 16 feet or less.