Otter Lake fishing

Fishing at Otter Lake has Tiger Muskie, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.2 times a year since 1979, most often in June and August. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye.

Last stocked

June 27, 2025

Plants on record

11

Since 1979

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

899.5

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane and 1 pier serves the lake. Administered by Baraga State Park; a Recreation Passport is required. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Otter Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of June. In 2025 it was June 27, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 38 years between 1979 and 2025.

About 2,090 reported fish per acre, 6th most of 11 lakes in Houghton County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Lake Perrault (11.1 mi), Portage Lake (11.2 mi), and Emily Lake (13.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Portage Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Otter Lake

Fishing Otter Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 7 of 11 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie and one more.

Walleye 7 plants
Plants
7 of 11
Last stocked
June 27, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Tiger Muskie 3 plants
Plants
3 of 11
Last stocked
August 25, 1981

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Smallmouth Bass 1 plant
Plants
1 of 11
Last stocked
September 24, 1979

Seasons and rigs are on the Smallmouth Bass guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 13,7341979
  • 3,6001980
  • 1,803,6001981
  • 10,0472012
  • 8,6702015
  • 9,8502017
  • 9,8502021
  • 10,2462023
  • 9,9002025

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 27, 2025 Walleye 9,900 – report
June 27, 2023 Walleye 10,246 – report
June 18, 2021 Walleye 9,850 – report
June 27, 2017 Walleye 9,850 – report
June 23, 2015 Walleye 8,670 – report
June 5, 2012 Walleye 10,047 – report
August 25, 1981 Tiger Muskie 3,600 – report
May 11, 1981 Walleye 1,800,000 – report
August 19, 1980 Tiger Muskie 3,600 – report
September 24, 1979 Smallmouth Bass 10,134 – report
July 19, 1979 Tiger Muskie 3,600 – report

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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