Walleye Stocked · 21 plants · last June 3, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night Muskegon Lake fishing
Muskegon Lake fishing is stocked with Walleye and Muskellunge on a natural lake. Also recorded: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, Freshwater drum, and 10 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, Rock bass, and White bass, dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, Largemouth bass, and Smallmouth bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern pike and Bluegill.
- Last stocked
- June 3, 2025
- · Walleye
- Plants on record
- 31
- Since 1983
- Species stocked
- 2 (+16 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 4,207.3
Fish at Muskegon Lake
Walleye Stocked · 21 plants · last June 3, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Muskellunge Stocked · 10 plants · last October 31, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk 
Largemouth bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth bass species guide
Smallmouth bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth bass species guide
Northern pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern pike species guide
Channel catfish Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Channel catfish species guide
Flathead catfish Confirmed present Best: night Best: night
Flathead catfish species guide Freshwater drum Confirmed present
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide
Rock bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Rock bass species guide
White perch Confirmed present 
Lake sturgeon Confirmed present 
Longnose gar Confirmed present Best: day Best: day
Longnose gar species guide
Bowfin Confirmed present Best: day, night Best: day, night
Bowfin species guide
White bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
White bass species guide
Cisco Confirmed present Round goby Confirmed present
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. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Muskegon Lake is stocked
About 1,106 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 6 lakes in Muskegon County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 1983
50,000
Fish stocked in 1994
2,300,000
Fish stocked in 1995
500,000
Fish stocked in 2008
204,780
Fish stocked in 2010
200,689
Fish stocked in 2012
211,996
Fish stocked in 2013
6,846
Fish stocked in 2014
180,938
Fish stocked in 2016
212,619
Fish stocked in 2018
216,303
Fish stocked in 2021
138,292
Fish stocked in 2022
2,535
Fish stocked in 2023
210,000
Fish stocked in 2024
6,217
Fish stocked in 2025
212,230
Stocking history
| 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 |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Muskegon, MI
- Facilities
- camping, dock, restrooms, cleaning station
Drowned river-mouth lake on Lake Michigan. Muskegon State Park's Snug Harbor has a launch, accessible fishing pier and fish-cleaning station; shore anglers also fish both sides of the channel. City launches are at Cottage Grove, Grand Trunk, Hartshorn and Fisherman's Landing.
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.
About Muskegon Lake
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Muskegon Lake?
Fishing Muskegon Lake usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 21 of 31 plants on record, ahead of Muskellunge. Walleye was last stocked June 3, 2025. Muskellunge was last stocked October 31, 2024. Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, and Channel catfish, plus 12 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Muskegon Lake stocked?
Last stocked June 3, 2025. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 1983, most often in June and November. About 1,106 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 6 lakes in Muskegon County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 28 years between 1983 and 2025.
How do you get on Muskegon Lake?
The nearest town is Muskegon, MI. Facilities include camping, dock, restrooms, and cleaning station. Drowned river-mouth lake on Lake Michigan. Muskegon State Park's Snug Harbor has a launch, accessible fishing pier and fish-cleaning station; shore anglers also fish both sides of the channel. City launches are at Cottage Grove, Grand Trunk, Hartshorn and Fisherman's Landing.
Which lakes near Muskegon Lake were stocked more recently?
Mona Lake (4.4 mi), White Lake (11.2 mi), and Big Blue Lake (15.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Mona Lake is also stocked with Muskellunge and Walleye, White Lake is also stocked with Walleye and Muskellunge, and Big Blue Lake is also stocked with Walleye.