Otsego Lake fishing

Fishing at Otsego Lake has Tiger Muskie, Northern Pike, Lake Sturgeon, Walleye, and Muskellunge on the stocking report. 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, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, and dawn and dusk for Muskellunge.

Last stocked

June 2, 2026

Plants on record

76

Since 1979

Species recorded

5

Surface acres

2,012.9

Access and facts

Nearest town
Gaylord

Otsego Lake State Park sits on the lake's southeast shore, and Otsego County Park is on the northwest shore, south of Gaylord.

Sources: shore_notes , nearest_town , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Otsego Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of June. In 2026 it was April 22, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 18 years between 1979 and 2026.

About 12,072 reported fish per acre, the most of 16 lakes in Otsego County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Otsego Lake

Fishing Otsego Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 30 of 76 plants on record, ahead of Lake Sturgeon and 3 more.

Walleye 30 plants
Plants
30 of 76
Last stocked
April 22, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Lake Sturgeon 23 plants
Plants
23 of 76
Last stocked
October 21, 2019
Tiger Muskie 12 plants
Plants
12 of 76
Last stocked
October 8, 1991

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Muskellunge 9 plants
Plants
9 of 76
Last stocked
June 2, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Northern Pike 2 plants
Plants
2 of 76
Last stocked
May 13, 1981

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Fishing Otsego Lake

Fisherman can also be seen scattered throughout Otsego Lake. Otsego Lake is 1,972 acres and 5 miles long. It is a shallow lake averaging about 6 to 8 feet in most places, with a maximum depth of approximately 23 feet. The bottom shoal composed of sand and light gravel forms many drop-offs and holes. Muskelunge, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Rock bass, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed sunfish, and Walleye can be found in the lake.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

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.

Fish stocked per year

  • 6,0001979
  • 6,0001981
  • 2351982
  • 6,8341983
  • 6,9931985
  • 6,0001987
  • 7,6651989
  • 2,015,0621991
  • 2,002,7511992
  • 1,303,9961993
  • 5,300,0001995
  • 2,000,0001997
  • 2,000,0001998
  • 1,750,0002000
  • 72,0262002
  • 2,974,7012006
  • 6,9902008
  • 68,9352011
  • 3,9492012
  • 82,1292013
  • 2,3002014
  • 3,9812015
  • 53,0142016
  • 3,155,0002017
  • 115,1162018
  • 12019
  • 2,9582021
  • 51,4712022
  • 50,7602024
  • 1,244,6212026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 76 plants Showing 76 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 2, 2026 Muskellunge 621 – report
April 22, 2026 Walleye 1,244,000 – 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
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Species stocked here

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

Nearest lakes