Thornapple Lake fishing

Thornapple Lake fishing is stocked with Muskellunge, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike on a natural lake. Also recorded: Black crappie, Yellow perch, Bluegill, and Common carp. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 1979, most often in October and November. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, and Common carp, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Black crappie, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Yellow perch, and Bluegill.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
November 6, 2025
· Muskellunge
Plants on record
72
Since 1979
Species stocked
4 (+4 also recorded)
Surface acres
416.4

Fish at Thornapple Lake

4 stocked · 4 confirmed present

Muskellunge Stocked · 55 plants · last November 6, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked November 6, 2025 · 55 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Muskellunge species guide
Walleye Stocked · 14 plants · last June 4, 2019 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked June 4, 2019 · 14 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide
Northern Pike Stocked · 2 plants · last May 14, 2001 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 14, 2001 · 2 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Northern Pike species guide
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 1 plant · last October 30, 1991 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked October 30, 1991 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, dusk

Largemouth Bass species guide

At Thornapple Lake, "the concrete boat ramp will launch you into some of the best boating and fishing around". Additionally, "anglers favor Thornapple Lake for its walleye, trophy muskies and large mouth bass." (charltonpark.org, accessed October 5, 2026)

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

How Thornapple Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

No plants recorded in 14 years between 1979 and 2025.

Fish stocked in 1979

1,700

Fish stocked in 1980

1,700

Fish stocked in 1981

1,700

Fish stocked in 1983

1,700

Fish stocked in 1985

1,700

Fish stocked in 1986

1,992

Fish stocked in 1987

1,800

Fish stocked in 1988

1,178

Fish stocked in 1989

1,115

Fish stocked in 1991

171

Fish stocked in 1994

3,135

Fish stocked in 1997

1,650

Fish stocked in 1999

1,652

Fish stocked in 2001

1,224

Fish stocked in 2003

28,373

Fish stocked in 2005

1,641

Fish stocked in 2008

1,631

Fish stocked in 2010

1,646

Fish stocked in 2011

2,710

Fish stocked in 2012

819,801

Fish stocked in 2013

1,700

Fish stocked in 2014

434,500

Fish stocked in 2015

1,677

Fish stocked in 2016

818,000

Fish stocked in 2017

24,620

Fish stocked in 2018

614

Fish stocked in 2019

23,886

Fish stocked in 2020

92

Fish stocked in 2021

307

Fish stocked in 2022

956

Fish stocked in 2023

1,702

Fish stocked in 2024

984

Fish stocked in 2025

1,726

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
November 6, 2025Muskellunge870–report
July 7, 2025Muskellunge161–report
June 11, 2025Muskellunge695–report
October 30, 2024Muskellunge823–report
June 11, 2024Muskellunge161–report
November 1, 2023Muskellunge817–report
July 3, 2023Muskellunge343–report
June 28, 2023Muskellunge542–report
November 1, 2022Muskellunge830–report
June 16, 2022Muskellunge126–report
November 3, 2021Muskellunge307–report
June 17, 2020Muskellunge92–report
November 12, 2019Muskellunge610–report
June 5, 2019Muskellunge400–report
June 4, 2019Walleye22,876–report
November 2, 2018Muskellunge614–report
October 24, 2017Walleye1,637–report
May 31, 2017Walleye22,983–report
April 11, 2016Walleye818,000–report
October 28, 2015Muskellunge1,677–report
October 15, 2014Muskellunge1,700–report
May 12, 2014Walleye432,800–report
November 5, 2013Muskellunge1,700–report
November 8, 2012Muskellunge848–report
November 8, 2012Muskellunge850–report
June 7, 2012Muskellunge103–report
April 11, 2012Walleye818,000–report
November 9, 2011Muskellunge1,710–report
November 9, 2011Muskellunge1,000–report
October 12, 2010Muskellunge1,646–report
October 15, 2008Muskellunge1,631–report
September 28, 2005Muskellunge1,641–report
October 17, 2003Muskellunge1,653–report
June 20, 2003Walleye26,720–report
September 18, 2001Muskellunge1,200–report
May 14, 2001Northern Pike6–report
May 14, 2001Muskellunge18–report
September 17, 1999Muskellunge1,652–report
September 17, 1997Muskellunge1,650–report
October 19, 1994Muskellunge249–report
October 19, 1994Walleye4–report
October 13, 1994Muskellunge267–report
October 13, 1994Muskellunge159–report
October 13, 1994Walleye432–report
October 7, 1994Muskellunge98–report
October 7, 1994Walleye995–report
October 5, 1994Walleye352–report
October 5, 1994Muskellunge385–report
September 30, 1994Muskellunge194–report
October 30, 1991Northern Pike15–report
October 30, 1991Largemouth Bass125–report
October 30, 1991Muskellunge4–report
October 30, 1991Walleye27–report
July 21, 1989Muskellunge1,115–report
July 12, 1988Muskellunge1,178–report
October 12, 1987Muskellunge1,800–report
October 29, 1986Muskellunge314–report
October 29, 1986Muskellunge725–report
October 29, 1986Walleye158–report
October 29, 1986Walleye62–report
July 31, 1986Muskellunge733–report
October 30, 1985Muskellunge203–report
August 14, 1985Muskellunge477–report
August 9, 1985Muskellunge351–report
July 17, 1985Muskellunge669–report
August 2, 1983Muskellunge1,165–report
July 27, 1983Muskellunge535–report
August 12, 1981Muskellunge1,700–report
September 5, 1980Muskellunge220–report
August 22, 1980Muskellunge1,063–report
August 22, 1980Muskellunge417–report
August 16, 1979Muskellunge1,700–report

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Nashville
Facilities
restrooms, dock

A DNR launch on the southeast side has a hard-surfaced ramp with limited depth, 1 pier, a vault toilet and parking for about 15 trailers. Barry County's Historic Charlton Park at the west end has a concrete ramp, lakeshore fishing, a swimming beach and modern restrooms.

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.

About Thornapple Lake

According to Historic Charlton Park's Recreation Area, "Anglers favor Thornapple Lake for its walleye, trophy muskies and large mouth bass." (charltonpark.org, accessed October 5, 2026)

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

Nearest lakes

Carter Lake 7 mi last stocked May 14, 1991 Sugarbush Lake 11.4 mi last stocked April 16, 1984 Dagget Lake 13.1 mi last stocked October 30, 1991 Fine Lake 13.4 mi last stocked October 14, 2025 Wabascon Lake 14.7 mi last stocked June 15, 1993

Common questions

What fish are at Thornapple Lake?

Fishing Thornapple Lake usually means Muskellunge: Muskellunge accounts for 55 of 72 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and 2 more. Muskellunge was last stocked November 6, 2025. Walleye was last stocked June 4, 2019. Northern Pike was last stocked May 14, 2001. Largemouth Bass was last stocked October 30, 1991. Black crappie, Yellow perch, Bluegill, and Common carp are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Thornapple Lake stocked?

Last stocked November 6, 2025. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 1979, most often in October and November. No plants recorded in 14 years between 1979 and 2025.

How do you get on Thornapple Lake?

The nearest town is Nashville. Facilities include restrooms and dock. A DNR launch on the southeast side has a hard-surfaced ramp with limited depth, 1 pier, a vault toilet and parking for about 15 trailers. Barry County's Historic Charlton Park at the west end has a concrete ramp, lakeshore fishing, a swimming beach and modern restrooms.

Sources (6) +