Sporley Lake fishing

Sporley Lake fishing is stocked with Splake, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Lake Trout on a natural lake. Also recorded: Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 1981, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Yellow Perch, dawn for Lake Trout, and dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
May 4, 2026
· Brown Trout
Plants on record
74
Since 1981
Species stocked
4 (+3 also recorded)
Surface acres
76.8

Fish at Sporley Lake

4 stocked · 3 confirmed present

Splake Stocked · 45 plants · last April 28, 2026

Last stocked April 28, 2026 · 45 plants

Splake species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 24 plants · last May 4, 2026 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 4, 2026 · 24 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide
Lake Trout Stocked · 4 plants · last January 2, 2025 Best: dawn

Last stocked January 2, 2025 · 4 plants

Best: dawn

Lake Trout species guide
Brook Trout Stocked · 1 plant · last May 3, 1989 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 3, 1989 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brook Trout species guide

How Sporley Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

About 2,463 reported fish per acre, 9th most of 31 lakes in Marquette County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1981

3,800

Fish stocked in 1982

1,900

Fish stocked in 1983

3,810

Fish stocked in 1984

3,800

Fish stocked in 1985

3,850

Fish stocked in 1986

5,100

Fish stocked in 1987

7,600

Fish stocked in 1988

4,000

Fish stocked in 1989

5,950

Fish stocked in 1990

7,600

Fish stocked in 1991

6,000

Fish stocked in 1992

5,700

Fish stocked in 1993

3,800

Fish stocked in 1994

8,600

Fish stocked in 1995

6,300

Fish stocked in 1996

9,150

Fish stocked in 1997

6,820

Fish stocked in 1998

6,350

Fish stocked in 1999

6,700

Fish stocked in 2000

6,700

Fish stocked in 2001

6,910

Fish stocked in 2002

2,650

Fish stocked in 2003

2,699

Fish stocked in 2004

3,000

Fish stocked in 2005

1,295

Fish stocked in 2006

1,300

Fish stocked in 2007

1,300

Fish stocked in 2008

1,291

Fish stocked in 2009

4,500

Fish stocked in 2010

2,100

Fish stocked in 2011

2,208

Fish stocked in 2012

2,099

Fish stocked in 2013

1,899

Fish stocked in 2014

1,996

Fish stocked in 2015

2,028

Fish stocked in 2016

3,999

Fish stocked in 2017

3,965

Fish stocked in 2018

4,299

Fish stocked in 2019

4,000

Fish stocked in 2020

2,000

Fish stocked in 2021

3,890

Fish stocked in 2022

3,700

Fish stocked in 2023

2,336

Fish stocked in 2024

3,200

Fish stocked in 2025

3,544

Fish stocked in 2026

3,399

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 4, 2026Brown Trout1,400–report
April 28, 2026Splake1,999–report
May 19, 2025Splake2,000–report
May 13, 2025Brown Trout1,498–report
January 2, 2025Lake Trout46–report
April 29, 2024Splake1,800–report
April 22, 2024Brown Trout1,400–report
November 3, 2023Lake Trout50–report
May 17, 2023Splake900–report
May 16, 2023Brown Trout1,386–report
May 11, 2022Splake844–report
May 11, 2022Splake1,316–report
May 10, 2022Brown Trout1,540–report
April 29, 2021Brown Trout1,891–report
April 7, 2021Splake1,999–report
May 7, 2020Brown Trout2,000–report
May 7, 2019Brown Trout2,000–report
April 29, 2019Splake2,000–report
July 17, 2018Lake Trout100–report
May 16, 2018Brown Trout2,200–report
May 11, 2018Splake1,999–report
May 15, 2017Brown Trout1,966–report
April 18, 2017Splake1,999–report
May 11, 2016Brown Trout1,999–report
April 25, 2016Splake2,000–report
May 21, 2015Brown Trout1,100–report
April 24, 2015Splake928–report
June 2, 2014Brown Trout1,000–report
May 8, 2014Splake996–report
May 23, 2013Brown Trout900–report
May 7, 2013Splake999–report
May 10, 2012Brown Trout1,100–report
April 11, 2012Splake999–report
October 25, 2011Lake Trout109–report
May 19, 2011Brown Trout1,100–report
April 27, 2011Splake999–report
April 30, 2010Brown Trout1,100–report
April 7, 2010Splake1,000–report
April 27, 2009Splake4,500–report
April 30, 2008Splake1,291–report
May 2, 2007Splake1,300–report
May 5, 2006Splake1,300–report
May 9, 2005Splake1,295–report
May 21, 2004Splake3,000–report
May 16, 2003Splake2,699–report
May 13, 2002Splake2,650–report
May 15, 2001Brown Trout1,000–report
May 15, 2001Splake5,910–report
May 18, 2000Splake5,700–report
May 18, 2000Brown Trout1,000–report
May 18, 1999Splake6,700–report
April 29, 1998Splake6,350–report
May 13, 1997Brown Trout1,000–report
May 13, 1997Splake5,820–report
June 7, 1996Brown Trout2,275–report
May 23, 1996Splake4,600–report
May 23, 1996Brown Trout2,275–report
May 5, 1995Splake6,300–report
June 6, 1994Brown Trout1,000–report
May 12, 1994Splake7,600–report
May 26, 1993Splake3,800–report
May 28, 1992Splake5,700–report
April 25, 1991Splake6,000–report
May 1, 1990Splake7,600–report
May 17, 1989Brown Trout5,700–report
May 3, 1989Brook Trout250–report
April 20, 1988Splake4,000–report
May 1, 1987Splake7,600–report
May 19, 1986Splake5,100–report
May 31, 1985Splake3,850–report
May 17, 1984Splake3,800–report
May 13, 1983Splake3,810–report
May 18, 1982Splake1,900–report
May 15, 1981Splake3,800–report

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Gwinn
Facilities
dock, restrooms

DNR launch at the end of a 0.4-mile two-track off Sporley Lake Road, reached from M-94 east of Gwinn, with trailer parking. DNR records list a courtesy pier and a vault toilet. Max depth is about 42 ft, with a 10 to 15 ft shoal along the north shore.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

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Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.

Nearest lakes

Big Trout Lake 0.8 mi last stocked May 4, 2026 Swanzy Lake 2.6 mi last stocked April 28, 2026 Mehl Lake 4.3 mi last stocked July 2, 2019 Strawberry Lake 7.8 mi last stocked May 15, 2026 Little Shag Lake 9.1 mi last stocked May 4, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Sporley Lake?

Fishing Sporley Lake usually means Splake: Splake accounts for 45 of 74 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and 2 more. Splake was last stocked April 28, 2026. Brown Trout was last stocked May 4, 2026. Lake Trout was last stocked January 2, 2025. Brook Trout was last stocked May 3, 1989. Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Sporley Lake stocked?

Last stocked May 4, 2026. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 1981, most often in April and May. About 2,463 reported fish per acre, 9th most of 31 lakes in Marquette County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How do you get on Sporley Lake?

The nearest town is Gwinn. Facilities include dock and restrooms. DNR launch at the end of a 0.4-mile two-track off Sporley Lake Road, reached from M-94 east of Gwinn, with trailer parking. DNR records list a courtesy pier and a vault toilet. Max depth is about 42 ft, with a 10 to 15 ft shoal along the north shore.

Which lakes near Sporley Lake were stocked more recently?

Strawberry Lake (7.8 mi) was stocked more recently. Strawberry Lake is also stocked with Brook Trout.

Sources (7) +