Silver Lake Basin fishing

Fishing at Silver Lake Basin is on a reservoir, stocked with Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Splake, and Bluegill. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 1980, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn for Lake Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brook Trout and Bluegill.

Last stocked

May 24, 2019

Plants on record

51

Since 1980

Species recorded

4

Surface acres

1,425.3

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes

A DNR boating access site at Van Riper State Park has 1 launch lane, parking for about 6 trailers, and no pier or toilet. Silver Lake Basin is a natural basin on the Dead River enlarged by a dam; the dam's 2003 failure sent 9 billion gallons downstream toward Marquette.

Sources: access , shore_notes , shore_notes , water_type , access.fee

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How Silver Lake Basin is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of May. In 2019 it was May 24, 2019, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 20 years between 1980 and 2019.

About 207 reported fish per acre, 23rd most of 32 lakes in Marquette County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Brocky Lake (5.6 mi) was stocked more recently.

Fish at Silver Lake Basin

Fishing Silver Lake Basin is most likely to be for Brook Trout. Brook Trout accounts for 18 of 51 plants on record, ahead of Splake and 2 more.

Brook Trout 18 plants
Plants
18 of 51
Last stocked
July 10, 2002

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Splake 17 plants
Plants
17 of 51
Last stocked
June 19, 2002

Seasons and rigs are on the Splake guide.

Lake Trout 15 plants
Plants
15 of 51
Last stocked
June 5, 1997

Seasons and rigs are on the Lake Trout guide.

Bluegill 1 plant
Plants
1 of 51
Last stocked
May 24, 2019

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 10,0001980
  • 23,9061984
  • 16,2101985
  • 14,8241986
  • 22,1811987
  • 12,2491988
  • 15,0001990
  • 20,7401991
  • 10,0001992
  • 23,2561993
  • 1,0611994
  • 15,0001995
  • 15,7121996
  • 13,0831997
  • 11,7001998
  • 12,7001999
  • 10,9182000
  • 13,2822001
  • 23,6932002
  • 9,9502019

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 51 plants Showing 51 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 24, 2019 Bluegill 9,950 – report
July 10, 2002 Brook Trout 565 – report
June 19, 2002 Splake 11,628 – report
May 3, 2002 Splake 11,500 – report
October 3, 2001 Brook Trout 2,732 – report
May 15, 2001 Splake 10,550 – report
June 6, 2000 Brook Trout 58 – report
June 6, 2000 Brook Trout 60 – report
May 23, 2000 Splake 2,700 – report
May 23, 2000 Splake 8,100 – report
May 12, 1999 Splake 12,700 – report
May 4, 1998 Splake 11,700 – report
June 5, 1997 Lake Trout 2,753 – report
May 21, 1997 Splake 10,330 – report
November 5, 1996 Brook Trout 16 – report
November 5, 1996 Lake Trout 63 – report
October 30, 1996 Lake Trout 164 – report
October 30, 1996 Lake Trout 269 – report
June 18, 1996 Splake 2,000 – report
June 7, 1996 Splake 13,200 – report
May 26, 1995 Splake 15,000 – report
June 17, 1994 Brook Trout 366 – report
June 17, 1994 Lake Trout 695 – report
June 7, 1993 Splake 5,437 – report
June 7, 1993 Lake Trout 1,600 – report
June 7, 1993 Lake Trout 16,219 – report
May 29, 1992 Splake 10,000 – report
June 14, 1991 Lake Trout 5,140 – report
June 14, 1991 Brook Trout 4,800 – report
May 9, 1991 Splake 10,800 – report
May 3, 1990 Splake 15,000 – report
May 31, 1988 Lake Trout 180 – report
May 31, 1988 Brook Trout 69 – report
May 2, 1988 Splake 6,000 – report
May 2, 1988 Brook Trout 6,000 – report
November 19, 1987 Lake Trout 450 – report
November 19, 1987 Lake Trout 2,500 – report
September 23, 1987 Brook Trout 2,194 – report
September 14, 1987 Lake Trout 2,042 – report
May 8, 1987 Brook Trout 7,572 – report
May 8, 1987 Splake 7,423 – report
June 5, 1986 Brook Trout 1,456 – report
June 4, 1986 Brook Trout 6,300 – report
June 4, 1986 Brook Trout 6,300 – report
May 9, 1986 Lake Trout 768 – report
November 5, 1985 Lake Trout 1,000 – report
June 4, 1985 Brook Trout 4,000 – report
June 3, 1985 Brook Trout 11,210 – report
October 8, 1984 Brook Trout 7,906 – report
May 22, 1984 Brook Trout 16,000 – report
May 14, 1980 Lake Trout 10,000 – 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