Pontiac Lake fishing

Fishing at Pontiac Lake is on a reservoir, stocked with Tiger Muskie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Walleye, and Crappie, and 5 more. It is stocked about 0.6 times a year since 1979, most often in June and November. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch, and dusk and night for Channel Catfish.

Last stocked

July 9, 2026

Plants on record

29

Since 1979

Species recorded

5

Surface acres

632.7

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Waterford, MI
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping

Pontiac Lake is a 640-acre reservoir formed in 1926 when Lime Lake was dammed. The adjoining, DNR-run Pontiac Lake Recreation Area has a public boat launch and a campground with 176 standard sites, in White Lake Township just west of Waterford.

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

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Pontiac Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of September. In 2026 it was July 8, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 29 years between 1979 and 2026.

About 2,263 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 17 lakes in Oakland County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Pontiac Lake

Fishing Pontiac Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 18 of 29 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish and 3 more.

Walleye 18 plants
Plants
18 of 29
Last stocked
July 9, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Channel Catfish 5 plants
Plants
5 of 29
Last stocked
September 25, 2012

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Largemouth Bass 2 plants
Plants
2 of 29
Last stocked
July 15, 1982

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Northern Pike 2 plants
Plants
2 of 29
Last stocked
April 19, 1982

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Tiger Muskie 2 plants
Plants
2 of 29
Last stocked
August 11, 1980

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Fishing Pontiac Lake

Pontiac Lake is a public lake. It has many fish species, such as Carp, Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Bowfin, Walleye and Yellow Perch.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,2001979
  • 1,2001980
  • 1,204,3261982
  • 10,0611995
  • 8,0001996
  • 12,5001997
  • 4,0002001
  • 13,2882011
  • 1,5152012
  • 30,3262014
  • 33,7882016
  • 3,1782017
  • 1,2172019
  • 1002021
  • 2382022
  • 35,8452023
  • 29,5622024
  • 352025
  • 41,1312026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 29 plants Showing 29 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
July 9, 2026 Walleye 15,163 – report
July 8, 2026 Walleye 25,968 – report
November 3, 2025 Walleye 35 – report
June 25, 2024 Walleye 29,562 – report
June 27, 2023 Walleye 6,354 – report
June 13, 2023 Walleye 29,491 – report
November 14, 2022 Walleye 238 – report
November 23, 2021 Walleye 80 – report
November 23, 2021 Walleye 20 – report
October 28, 2019 Walleye 872 – report
October 28, 2019 Walleye 284 – report
October 28, 2019 Walleye 61 – report
November 7, 2017 Walleye 3,178 – report
June 2, 2016 Walleye 6,809 – report
June 2, 2016 Walleye 9,078 – report
June 1, 2016 Walleye 17,901 – report
June 24, 2014 Walleye 30,326 – report
September 25, 2012 Channel Catfish 1,515 – report
November 8, 2011 Walleye 13,288 – report
September 26, 2001 Channel Catfish 4,000 – report
September 25, 1997 Channel Catfish 12,500 – report
September 25, 1996 Channel Catfish 8,000 – report
October 11, 1995 Channel Catfish 10,061 – report
July 15, 1982 Largemouth Bass 2,176 – report
April 19, 1982 Northern Pike 600,000 – report
April 19, 1982 Northern Pike 600,000 – report
April 8, 1982 Largemouth Bass 2,150 – report
August 11, 1980 Tiger Muskie 1,200 – report
July 10, 1979 Tiger Muskie 1,200 – report
Show 14 more plants Show less

Species found here

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

  • Carp : Listed among Pontiac Lake's fish species per Wikipedia; not documented in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Crappie : Listed among Pontiac Lake's fish species per Wikipedia; not documented in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Smallmouth bass : Listed among Pontiac Lake's fish species per Wikipedia; not documented in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Sunfish : Listed among Pontiac Lake's fish species per Wikipedia; not documented in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Bowfin : Listed among Pontiac Lake's fish species per Wikipedia; not documented in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Yellow perch : Listed among Pontiac Lake's fish species per Wikipedia; not documented in the state stocking data for this lake. (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.

Nearest lakes