Northern Pike Stocked · 3 plants · last May 11, 1990 Best: dawn, day, dusk Sage Lake fishing
Sage Lake fishing is stocked with Northern Pike and Walleye on a natural lake. Also recorded: Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, and 5 more. It is stocked about 0.1 times a year since 1987, 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, Black Crappie, and Rock Bass, and dusk for Pumpkinseed.
- Last stocked
- June 23, 2026
- · Walleye
- Plants on record
- 4
- Since 1987
- Species stocked
- 2 (+11 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 778.6
Fish at Sage Lake
Northern Pike Stocked · 3 plants · last May 11, 1990 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Walleye Stocked · 1 plant · last June 23, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black Crappie 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
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
Bowfin Confirmed present Best: day, night Best: day, night
Bowfin species guide Bullhead Confirmed present
Longnose Gar Confirmed present Best: day Best: day
Longnose Gar species guide
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guideHow Sage Lake is stocked
About 187 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 7 lakes in Ogemaw County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 1987
14,169
Fish stocked in 1988
45,000
Fish stocked in 1990
45,000
Fish stocked in 2026
41,448
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2026 | Walleye | 41,448 | – | report |
| May 11, 1990 | Northern Pike | 45,000 | – | report |
| May 13, 1988 | Northern Pike | 45,000 | – | report |
| May 27, 1987 | Northern Pike | 14,169 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Hale
- Facilities
- restrooms, dock
The public access is the DNR boat launch in the lake's southeast bay, administered by Rifle River State Recreation Area: 2 launch lanes, 1 skid pier, a vault toilet and parking for about 26 vehicles with trailers. DNR also lists Sage Lake for shore fishing.
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.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Sage Lake?
Fishing Sage Lake usually means Northern Pike: Northern Pike accounts for 3 of 4 plants on record, ahead of Walleye. Northern Pike was last stocked May 11, 1990. Walleye was last stocked June 23, 2026. Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch, plus 7 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Sage Lake stocked?
Last stocked June 23, 2026. It is stocked about 0.1 times a year since 1987, most often in May and June. About 187 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 7 lakes in Ogemaw County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 36 years between 1987 and 2026.
How do you get on Sage Lake?
The nearest town is Hale. Facilities include restrooms and dock. The public access is the DNR boat launch in the lake's southeast bay, administered by Rifle River State Recreation Area: 2 launch lanes, 1 skid pier, a vault toilet and parking for about 26 vehicles with trailers. DNR also lists Sage Lake for shore fishing.