Walleye Stocked · 30 plants · last April 22, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night Otsego Lake fishing
Otsego Lake fishing has Tiger Muskie, Northern Pike, Lake Sturgeon, Walleye, and Muskellunge on the stocking report. Also recorded: Bluegill, Crappie, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Yellow perch, Rock bass, and 1 more. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 1979, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow perch, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Crappie, and Rock bass, and dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, Smallmouth bass, and Largemouth bass.
- Last stocked
- June 2, 2026
- · Muskellunge
- Plants on record
- 77
- Since 1979
- Species stocked
- 5 (+7 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 2,012.9
Fish at Otsego Lake
Walleye Stocked · 30 plants · last April 22, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Lake Sturgeon Stocked · 24 plants · last August 1, 2025 Last stocked August 1, 2025 · 24 plants
Lake Sturgeon species guide
Tiger Muskie Stocked · 12 plants · last October 8, 1991 Last stocked October 8, 1991 · 12 plants
Tiger Muskie species guide
Muskellunge Stocked · 9 plants · last June 2, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk 
Northern Pike Stocked · 2 plants · last May 13, 1981 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Crappie species guide
Smallmouth bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth bass species guide
Largemouth bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth bass species guide
Yellow perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow perch species guide
Rock bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Rock bass species guide Bullhead Confirmed present
How Otsego Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 17 years between 1979 and 2026.
Fish stocked in 1979
6,000
Fish stocked in 1981
6,000
Fish stocked in 1982
235
Fish stocked in 1983
6,834
Fish stocked in 1985
6,993
Fish stocked in 1987
6,000
Fish stocked in 1989
7,665
Fish stocked in 1991
2,015,062
Fish stocked in 1992
2,002,751
Fish stocked in 1993
1,303,996
Fish stocked in 1995
5,300,000
Fish stocked in 1997
2,000,000
Fish stocked in 1998
2,000,000
Fish stocked in 2000
1,750,000
Fish stocked in 2002
72,026
Fish stocked in 2006
2,974,701
Fish stocked in 2008
6,990
Fish stocked in 2011
68,935
Fish stocked in 2012
3,949
Fish stocked in 2013
82,129
Fish stocked in 2014
2,300
Fish stocked in 2015
3,981
Fish stocked in 2016
53,014
Fish stocked in 2017
3,155,000
Fish stocked in 2018
115,116
Fish stocked in 2019
1
Fish stocked in 2021
2,958
Fish stocked in 2022
51,471
Fish stocked in 2024
50,760
Fish stocked in 2025
325
Fish stocked in 2026
1,244,621
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2, 2026 | Muskellunge | 621 | – | report |
| April 22, 2026 | Walleye | 1,244,000 | – | report |
| August 1, 2025 | Lake Sturgeon | 325 | – | report |
| June 11, 2024 | Walleye | 377 | – | report |
| June 11, 2024 | Walleye | 12,924 | – | report |
| June 11, 2024 | Walleye | 37,459 | – | report |
| October 26, 2022 | Muskellunge | 3,231 | – | report |
| June 28, 2022 | Walleye | 11,904 | – | report |
| June 16, 2022 | Walleye | 9,235 | – | report |
| June 15, 2022 | Walleye | 27,101 | – | report |
| October 25, 2021 | Muskellunge | 2,958 | – | report |
| October 21, 2019 | Lake Sturgeon | 1 | – | report |
| October 31, 2018 | Lake Sturgeon | 3 | – | report |
| October 31, 2018 | Muskellunge | 2,957 | – | report |
| August 22, 2018 | Lake Sturgeon | 189 | – | report |
| July 10, 2018 | Lake Sturgeon | 244 | – | report |
| June 11, 2018 | Walleye | 111,723 | – | report |
| May 4, 2017 | Walleye | 2,300,000 | – | report |
| May 2, 2017 | Walleye | 855,000 | – | report |
| September 15, 2016 | Lake Sturgeon | 21 | – | report |
| June 20, 2016 | Lake Sturgeon | 413 | – | report |
| June 7, 2016 | Walleye | 52,580 | – | report |
| December 12, 2015 | Lake Sturgeon | 349 | – | report |
| November 4, 2015 | Muskellunge | 2,952 | – | report |
| October 17, 2015 | Lake Sturgeon | 17 | – | report |
| September 6, 2015 | Lake Sturgeon | 149 | – | report |
| July 29, 2015 | Lake Sturgeon | 514 | – | report |
| June 24, 2014 | Lake Sturgeon | 2,102 | – | report |
| May 6, 2014 | Lake Sturgeon | 193 | – | report |
| May 6, 2014 | Lake Sturgeon | 5 | – | report |
| November 5, 2013 | Muskellunge | 2,952 | – | report |
| July 1, 2013 | Lake Sturgeon | 3,575 | – | report |
| June 20, 2013 | Walleye | 68,718 | – | report |
| June 18, 2013 | Walleye | 6,884 | – | report |
| November 14, 2012 | Muskellunge | 3,949 | – | report |
| June 16, 2011 | Walleye | 30,308 | – | report |
| June 15, 2011 | Walleye | 38,627 | – | report |
| November 5, 2008 | Muskellunge | 6,990 | – | report |
| September 13, 2006 | Lake Sturgeon | 180 | – | report |
| July 13, 2006 | Muskellunge | 20,421 | – | report |
| May 4, 2006 | Walleye | 2,954,100 | – | report |
| October 1, 2002 | Lake Sturgeon | 500 | – | report |
| October 1, 2002 | Lake Sturgeon | 26 | – | report |
| June 20, 2002 | Walleye | 71,500 | – | report |
| May 3, 2000 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | – | report |
| May 3, 2000 | Walleye | 750,000 | – | report |
| April 27, 1998 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | – | report |
| April 27, 1998 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | – | report |
| May 23, 1997 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | – | report |
| May 21, 1997 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | – | report |
| May 15, 1995 | Walleye | 2,650,000 | – | report |
| May 15, 1995 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | – | report |
| May 12, 1995 | Walleye | 1,650,000 | – | report |
| September 15, 1993 | Lake Sturgeon | 1,998 | – | report |
| September 15, 1993 | Lake Sturgeon | 1,998 | – | report |
| June 27, 1993 | Walleye | 300,000 | – | report |
| May 20, 1993 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | – | report |
| September 9, 1992 | Lake Sturgeon | 2,751 | – | report |
| May 22, 1992 | Walleye | 2,000,000 | – | report |
| October 8, 1991 | Tiger Muskie | 4,000 | – | report |
| October 8, 1991 | Tiger Muskie | 4,000 | – | report |
| June 26, 1991 | Lake Sturgeon | 7,062 | – | report |
| May 15, 1991 | Walleye | 2,000,000 | – | report |
| September 14, 1989 | Tiger Muskie | 3,025 | – | report |
| August 21, 1989 | Tiger Muskie | 4,640 | – | report |
| September 29, 1987 | Tiger Muskie | 3,000 | – | report |
| September 29, 1987 | Tiger Muskie | 3,000 | – | report |
| September 26, 1985 | Tiger Muskie | 3,497 | – | report |
| September 26, 1985 | Tiger Muskie | 3,496 | – | report |
| August 15, 1983 | Lake Sturgeon | 834 | – | report |
| August 1, 1983 | Tiger Muskie | 3,000 | – | report |
| August 1, 1983 | Tiger Muskie | 3,000 | – | report |
| August 20, 1982 | Lake Sturgeon | 235 | – | report |
| August 13, 1981 | Tiger Muskie | 5,000 | – | report |
| May 13, 1981 | Northern Pike | 500 | – | report |
| May 13, 1981 | Northern Pike | 500 | – | report |
| July 12, 1979 | Tiger Muskie | 6,000 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Gaylord
- Facilities
- restrooms, camping, dock
Otsego Lake State Park on the southeast shore (7136 Old 27 South) has a two-lane paved ramp and a seasonal, accessible floating fishing pier in the day-use area; the lot often fills early. Otsego County Park on the northwest shore has the lake's other public launch.
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 Otsego Lake
During busy times of year, there are an abundance of boats that frequent Otsego Lake, which bring along many skiers, boarders, as well as many tubing activities. Additionally, the lake is full of vegetation which is submerged at the bottom. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Otsego Lake?
Fishing Otsego Lake usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 30 of 77 plants on record, ahead of Lake Sturgeon and 3 more. Walleye was last stocked April 22, 2026. Lake Sturgeon was last stocked August 1, 2025. Tiger Muskie was last stocked October 8, 1991. Muskellunge was last stocked June 2, 2026. 1 more species is on the stocking report. Bluegill, Crappie, Smallmouth bass, and Largemouth bass, plus 3 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Otsego Lake stocked?
Last stocked June 2, 2026. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 1979, most often in May and June. No plants recorded in 17 years between 1979 and 2026.
How do you get on Otsego Lake?
The nearest town is Gaylord. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and dock. Otsego Lake State Park on the southeast shore (7136 Old 27 South) has a two-lane paved ramp and a seasonal, accessible floating fishing pier in the day-use area; the lot often fills early. Otsego County Park on the northwest shore has the lake's other public launch.