Section Four Lake fishing

Fishing at Section Four Lake is on a natural lake, stocked with Brook Trout and Brown Trout. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 1982, most often in April and November. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

April 27, 2026

Plants on record

31

Since 1982

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

2.5

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Shore access
Yes

Reached via the Shingle Mill Pathway in the Pigeon River Country State Forest, about 2 miles by trail from the campground on Ford Road. Section Four Lake is a spring-fed sinkhole lake known for cold, emerald-green water.

Sources: water_type , access.shore , shore_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Section Four Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the last week of April. In 2026 it was April 27, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 23 years between 1982 and 2026.

About 1,790 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 16 lakes in Otsego County with both a fish count and a surface area.

South Twin Lake (1.6 mi), West Lost Lake (1.7 mi), and North Twin Lake (1.7 mi) were stocked more recently. South Twin Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout and Brook Trout, West Lost Lake is also stocked with Brook Trout and Brown Trout, and North Twin Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout and Brook Trout.

Fish at Section Four Lake

Fishing Section Four Lake is most likely to be for Brook Trout. Brook Trout accounts for 28 of 31 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout.

Brook Trout 28 plants
Plants
28 of 31
Last stocked
April 27, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Brown Trout 3 plants
Plants
3 of 31
Last stocked
April 29, 1992

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Fishing Section Four Lake

Section Four Lake was historically used by the state Fisheries Division as a research pond for cold-water fish species. The DNR stocked the pond with brook and rainbow trout. Fishing is now permitted in the summer months, with fish to be caught on a lure or fly.

Sources: gaylordmichigan.net

What to watch for

Section Four is bitterly cold year round.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2601982
  • 2501985
  • 3001992
  • 1502007
  • 1692008
  • 1692009
  • 2042010
  • 1802011
  • 1102012
  • 1502013
  • 1882014
  • 1442015
  • 1692016
  • 1952017
  • 2172018
  • 2342019
  • 2432021
  • 2452022
  • 2262023
  • 2262024
  • 2252025
  • 2202026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 31 plants Showing 31 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 27, 2026 Brook Trout 220 – report
April 30, 2025 Brook Trout 225 – report
April 15, 2024 Brook Trout 226 – report
May 4, 2023 Brook Trout 226 – report
November 29, 2022 Brook Trout 25 – report
May 9, 2022 Brook Trout 220 – report
November 9, 2021 Brook Trout 25 – report
April 13, 2021 Brook Trout 218 – report
November 8, 2019 Brook Trout 25 – report
April 29, 2019 Brook Trout 209 – report
May 16, 2018 Brook Trout 217 – report
November 7, 2017 Brook Trout 25 – report
April 24, 2017 Brook Trout 170 – report
May 3, 2016 Brook Trout 169 – report
November 17, 2015 Brook Trout 24 – report
May 15, 2015 Brook Trout 120 – report
October 28, 2014 Brook Trout 20 – report
May 8, 2014 Brook Trout 168 – report
April 30, 2013 Brook Trout 150 – report
April 23, 2012 Brook Trout 110 – report
April 19, 2011 Brook Trout 180 – report
November 3, 2010 Brook Trout 24 – report
April 13, 2010 Brook Trout 180 – report
April 23, 2009 Brook Trout 169 – report
April 16, 2008 Brook Trout 169 – report
April 23, 2007 Brook Trout 150 – report
April 29, 1992 Brown Trout 100 – report
April 28, 1992 Brown Trout 100 – report
April 27, 1992 Brown Trout 100 – report
October 8, 1985 Brook Trout 250 – report
November 9, 1982 Brook Trout 260 – report
Show 16 more plants Show less

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