Muskegon Lake

Muskegon Lake fishing

Fishing at Muskegon Lake is on a natural lake, stocked with Walleye, Muskellunge, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown Trout, and 2 more. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 1983, most often in June and November. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Yellow Perch.

Last stocked

June 3, 2025

Plants on record

31

Since 1983

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

4,207.3

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Muskegon, MI
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping, dock

A drowned river-mouth lake at the outlet of the Muskegon River into Lake Michigan. Several public and private marinas and boat launches line the shore; Muskegon State Park, Heritage Landing, and Pere Marquette Park all sit along it.

Sources: water_type , access.boat_ramp , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , photos , fishing_notes , fishing_notes

How Muskegon Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of June. In 2025 it was June 3, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 28 years between 1983 and 2025.

About 1,106 reported fish per acre, 6th most of 8 lakes in Muskegon County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Mona Lake (4.4 mi) and White Lake (11.2 mi) were stocked more recently. Mona Lake is also stocked with Muskellunge and Walleye and White Lake is also stocked with Walleye and Muskellunge.

Fish at Muskegon Lake

Fishing Muskegon Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 21 of 31 plants on record, ahead of Muskellunge.

Walleye 21 plants
Plants
21 of 31
Last stocked
June 3, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Muskellunge 10 plants
Plants
10 of 31
Last stocked
October 31, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Fishing Muskegon Lake

Muskegon Lake is a popular location for sport fishing, with anglers able to find a variety of species. These include King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, and Perch. The city of Muskegon, located around a harbor of Lake Michigan, is known for fishing.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 50,0001983
  • 2,300,0001994
  • 500,0001995
  • 204,7802008
  • 200,6892010
  • 211,9962012
  • 6,8462013
  • 180,9382014
  • 212,6192016
  • 216,3032018
  • 138,2922021
  • 2,5352022
  • 210,0002023
  • 6,2172024
  • 212,2302025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 31 plants Showing 31 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 3, 2025 Walleye 103,308 report
June 3, 2025 Walleye 108,922 report
October 31, 2024 Muskellunge 6,217 report
June 6, 2023 Walleye 101,614 report
June 6, 2023 Walleye 108,386 report
November 9, 2022 Muskellunge 2,535 report
November 10, 2021 Muskellunge 90 report
November 9, 2021 Muskellunge 1,286 report
November 4, 2021 Muskellunge 4,840 report
June 2, 2021 Walleye 132,076 report
November 14, 2018 Muskellunge 2,028 report
November 9, 2018 Muskellunge 2,151 report
June 5, 2018 Walleye 104,948 report
June 5, 2018 Walleye 107,176 report
June 1, 2016 Walleye 104,259 report
June 1, 2016 Walleye 108,360 report
November 6, 2014 Muskellunge 2,985 report
November 5, 2014 Muskellunge 3,188 report
June 11, 2014 Walleye 30,290 report
June 10, 2014 Walleye 73,173 report
June 10, 2014 Walleye 71,302 report
November 14, 2013 Muskellunge 6,846 report
May 22, 2012 Walleye 106,624 report
May 22, 2012 Walleye 105,372 report
June 2, 2010 Walleye 100,902 report
June 2, 2010 Walleye 99,787 report
June 17, 2008 Walleye 102,390 report
June 17, 2008 Walleye 102,390 report
April 21, 1995 Walleye 500,000 report
May 6, 1994 Walleye 2,300,000 report
April 30, 1983 Walleye 50,000 report
Show 16 more plants Show less

Species found here

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

  • King (Chinook) salmon : Wikipedia lists this among the sport-fishing species found in Muskegon Lake; not in the state stocking data under this lake's slug. (source)
  • Coho salmon : Wikipedia lists this among the sport-fishing species found in Muskegon Lake; not in the state stocking data under this lake's slug. (source)
  • Steelhead : Wikipedia lists this among the sport-fishing species found in Muskegon Lake; not in the state stocking data under this lake's slug. (source)
  • Brown trout : Wikipedia lists this among the sport-fishing species found in Muskegon Lake; not in the state stocking data under this lake's slug. (source)
  • Lake trout : Wikipedia lists this among the sport-fishing species found in Muskegon Lake; not in the state stocking data under this lake's slug. (source)
  • Perch : Wikipedia lists this among the sport-fishing species found in Muskegon Lake; not in the state stocking data under this lake's slug. (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.

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