Thornapple Lake fishing

Fishing at Thornapple Lake has Muskellunge, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike on the stocking report. 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 and Largemouth Bass, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike.

Last stocked

November 6, 2025

Plants on record

72

Since 1979

Species recorded

4

Surface acres

416.4

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

A DNR boating access site inside Yankee Springs State Recreation Area has 1 launch lane, 1 pier, a vault toilet, and parking for about 16 trailers plus 2 vehicle-only spots. Barry County's Charlton Park, on the lake's south shore, is a second, county-run access point.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Thornapple Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of August. In 2025 it was June 11, 2025, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 14 years between 1979 and 2025.

About 5,257 reported fish per acre, the most of 10 lakes in Barry County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Guernsey Lake (12.3 mi) was stocked more recently.

Fish at Thornapple Lake

Fishing Thornapple Lake is most likely to be for Muskellunge. Muskellunge accounts for 55 of 72 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and 2 more.

Muskellunge 55 plants
Plants
55 of 72
Last stocked
November 6, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Walleye 14 plants
Plants
14 of 72
Last stocked
June 4, 2019

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Northern Pike 2 plants
Plants
2 of 72
Last stocked
May 14, 2001

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Largemouth Bass 1 plant
Plants
1 of 72
Last stocked
October 30, 1991

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,7001979
  • 1,7001980
  • 1,7001981
  • 1,7001983
  • 1,7001985
  • 1,9921986
  • 1,8001987
  • 1,1781988
  • 1,1151989
  • 1711991
  • 3,1351994
  • 1,6501997
  • 1,6521999
  • 1,2242001
  • 28,3732003
  • 1,6412005
  • 1,6312008
  • 1,6462010
  • 2,7102011
  • 819,8012012
  • 1,7002013
  • 434,5002014
  • 1,6772015
  • 818,0002016
  • 24,6202017
  • 6142018
  • 23,8862019
  • 922020
  • 3072021
  • 9562022
  • 1,7022023
  • 9842024
  • 1,7262025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 72 plants Showing 72 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
November 6, 2025 Muskellunge 870 – report
July 7, 2025 Muskellunge 161 – report
June 11, 2025 Muskellunge 695 – report
October 30, 2024 Muskellunge 823 – report
June 11, 2024 Muskellunge 161 – report
November 1, 2023 Muskellunge 817 – report
July 3, 2023 Muskellunge 343 – report
June 28, 2023 Muskellunge 542 – report
November 1, 2022 Muskellunge 830 – report
June 16, 2022 Muskellunge 126 – report
November 3, 2021 Muskellunge 307 – report
June 17, 2020 Muskellunge 92 – report
November 12, 2019 Muskellunge 610 – report
June 5, 2019 Muskellunge 400 – report
June 4, 2019 Walleye 22,876 – report
November 2, 2018 Muskellunge 614 – report
October 24, 2017 Walleye 1,637 – report
May 31, 2017 Walleye 22,983 – report
April 11, 2016 Walleye 818,000 – report
October 28, 2015 Muskellunge 1,677 – report
October 15, 2014 Muskellunge 1,700 – report
May 12, 2014 Walleye 432,800 – report
November 5, 2013 Muskellunge 1,700 – report
November 8, 2012 Muskellunge 848 – report
November 8, 2012 Muskellunge 850 – report
June 7, 2012 Muskellunge 103 – report
April 11, 2012 Walleye 818,000 – report
November 9, 2011 Muskellunge 1,710 – report
November 9, 2011 Muskellunge 1,000 – report
October 12, 2010 Muskellunge 1,646 – report
October 15, 2008 Muskellunge 1,631 – report
September 28, 2005 Muskellunge 1,641 – report
October 17, 2003 Muskellunge 1,653 – report
June 20, 2003 Walleye 26,720 – report
September 18, 2001 Muskellunge 1,200 – report
May 14, 2001 Northern Pike 6 – report
May 14, 2001 Muskellunge 18 – report
September 17, 1999 Muskellunge 1,652 – report
September 17, 1997 Muskellunge 1,650 – report
October 19, 1994 Muskellunge 249 – report
October 19, 1994 Walleye 4 – report
October 13, 1994 Muskellunge 267 – report
October 13, 1994 Muskellunge 159 – report
October 13, 1994 Walleye 432 – report
October 7, 1994 Muskellunge 98 – report
October 7, 1994 Walleye 995 – report
October 5, 1994 Walleye 352 – report
October 5, 1994 Muskellunge 385 – report
September 30, 1994 Muskellunge 194 – report
October 30, 1991 Northern Pike 15 – report
October 30, 1991 Largemouth Bass 125 – report
October 30, 1991 Muskellunge 4 – report
October 30, 1991 Walleye 27 – report
July 21, 1989 Muskellunge 1,115 – report
July 12, 1988 Muskellunge 1,178 – report
October 12, 1987 Muskellunge 1,800 – report
October 29, 1986 Muskellunge 314 – report
October 29, 1986 Muskellunge 725 – report
October 29, 1986 Walleye 158 – report
October 29, 1986 Walleye 62 – report
July 31, 1986 Muskellunge 733 – report
October 30, 1985 Muskellunge 203 – report
August 14, 1985 Muskellunge 477 – report
August 9, 1985 Muskellunge 351 – report
July 17, 1985 Muskellunge 669 – report
August 2, 1983 Muskellunge 1,165 – report
July 27, 1983 Muskellunge 535 – report
August 12, 1981 Muskellunge 1,700 – report
September 5, 1980 Muskellunge 220 – report
August 22, 1980 Muskellunge 1,063 – report
August 22, 1980 Muskellunge 417 – report
August 16, 1979 Muskellunge 1,700 – 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.

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