Torch Lake

Torch Lake fishing

Fishing at Torch Lake has Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 3.3 times a year since 1979, most often in April and October. Species guides list dawn for Lake Trout, dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Brook Trout, and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.

Last stocked

May 12, 2026

Plants on record

156

Since 1979

Species recorded

5

Surface acres

18,728.1

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Float tube friendly
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

Michigan's longest and deepest inland lake, famed for clear turquoise water. 5 DNR-listed boating access sites serve the lake, the largest with 1 launch lane. Administered by Young State Park; a Recreation Passport is required.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee , shore_notes , fishing_notes

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How Torch Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the last week of April. In 2026 it was May 12, 2026, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 1984, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2021, and 2023.

About 130 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 5 lakes in Antrim County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Lake Bellaire (4.4 mi) and Sixmile Lake (11.9 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Bellaire is also stocked with Brown Trout.

Fish at Torch Lake

Fishing Torch Lake is most likely to be for Atlantic Salmon. Atlantic Salmon accounts for 95 of 156 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and 3 more.

Atlantic Salmon 95 plants
Plants
95 of 156
Last stocked
May 12, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Atlantic Salmon guide.

Brown Trout 38 plants
Plants
38 of 156
Last stocked
June 18, 1996

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 12 plants
Plants
12 of 156
Last stocked
December 6, 2005

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Lake Trout 10 plants
Plants
10 of 156
Last stocked
May 17, 1986

Seasons and rigs are on the Lake Trout guide.

Brook Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 156
Last stocked
May 29, 1987

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Fishing Torch Lake

Torch Lake in Michigan is a popular destination for fishing. The lake is known for nature activities, including fishing. Anglers can target a variety of species, such as lake trout, rock bass, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, pike, ciscoes, brown trout, steelhead, rainbow trout, atlantic salmon, and whitefish. At 19 miles long, it is Michigan's longest inland lake, and it is also the state's deepest inland lake.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 70,0001979
  • 50,0001980
  • 50,0001981
  • 70,0001982
  • 65,0001983
  • 40,0001985
  • 64,7601986
  • 86,9101987
  • 75,0001988
  • 74,9081989
  • 87,4891990
  • 117,8341991
  • 379,0451992
  • 29,5991993
  • 30,4731994
  • 50,3661995
  • 45,1081996
  • 13,1641997
  • 52,8021998
  • 63,1471999
  • 30,5672000
  • 31,3042001
  • 54,9572002
  • 46,1432003
  • 24,1502004
  • 61,9702005
  • 34,0752006
  • 19,0112007
  • 22,6202008
  • 22,7472011
  • 54,4112012
  • 49,8522013
  • 53,0292014
  • 37,8632015
  • 41,9732016
  • 86,4012018
  • 75,6552019
  • 32,1262020
  • 64,7152022
  • 17,1982024
  • 35,1752025
  • 25,4942026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 156 plants Showing 156 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 12, 2026 Atlantic Salmon 12,744 – report
May 12, 2026 Atlantic Salmon 12,750 – report
April 30, 2025 Atlantic Salmon 2,740 – report
April 30, 2025 Atlantic Salmon 7,710 – report
April 30, 2025 Atlantic Salmon 17,676 – report
April 30, 2025 Atlantic Salmon 7,049 – report
June 6, 2024 Atlantic Salmon 1,327 – report
May 13, 2024 Atlantic Salmon 15,871 – report
May 20, 2022 Atlantic Salmon 14,652 – report
May 20, 2022 Atlantic Salmon 14,580 – report
May 3, 2022 Atlantic Salmon 5,910 – report
May 3, 2022 Atlantic Salmon 17,751 – report
May 3, 2022 Atlantic Salmon 11,822 – report
May 7, 2020 Atlantic Salmon 16,264 – report
May 7, 2020 Atlantic Salmon 15,862 – report
November 19, 2019 Atlantic Salmon 29,444 – report
October 9, 2019 Atlantic Salmon 46,211 – report
October 3, 2018 Atlantic Salmon 46,828 – report
October 3, 2018 Atlantic Salmon 39,573 – report
November 2, 2016 Atlantic Salmon 21,304 – report
November 2, 2016 Atlantic Salmon 20,669 – report
October 27, 2015 Atlantic Salmon 3,262 – report
October 27, 2015 Atlantic Salmon 4,433 – report
October 22, 2015 Atlantic Salmon 15,085 – report
October 22, 2015 Atlantic Salmon 15,083 – report
November 24, 2014 Atlantic Salmon 20,404 – report
November 24, 2014 Atlantic Salmon 22,809 – report
October 27, 2014 Atlantic Salmon 4,908 – report
October 27, 2014 Atlantic Salmon 4,908 – report
November 6, 2013 Atlantic Salmon 18,225 – report
November 6, 2013 Atlantic Salmon 18,227 – report
October 28, 2013 Atlantic Salmon 13,400 – report
October 1, 2012 Atlantic Salmon 17,410 – report
October 1, 2012 Atlantic Salmon 17,410 – report
May 21, 2012 Atlantic Salmon 9,606 – report
May 21, 2012 Atlantic Salmon 9,985 – report
October 31, 2011 Atlantic Salmon 10,063 – report
October 31, 2011 Atlantic Salmon 12,684 – report
October 16, 2008 Atlantic Salmon 5,500 – report
October 16, 2008 Atlantic Salmon 5,810 – report
October 16, 2008 Atlantic Salmon 5,500 – report
October 16, 2008 Atlantic Salmon 5,810 – report
October 4, 2007 Atlantic Salmon 5,546 – report
October 4, 2007 Atlantic Salmon 3,960 – report
October 4, 2007 Atlantic Salmon 5,545 – report
October 4, 2007 Atlantic Salmon 3,960 – report
November 27, 2006 Atlantic Salmon 3,179 – report
November 27, 2006 Atlantic Salmon 3,000 – report
March 29, 2006 Atlantic Salmon 6,856 – report
March 29, 2006 Atlantic Salmon 6,960 – report
March 28, 2006 Atlantic Salmon 7,040 – report
March 28, 2006 Atlantic Salmon 7,040 – report
December 6, 2005 Rainbow Trout 10,906 – report
December 6, 2005 Rainbow Trout 11,931 – report
April 14, 2005 Atlantic Salmon 11,805 – report
April 14, 2005 Atlantic Salmon 8,638 – report
April 13, 2005 Atlantic Salmon 18,690 – report
April 7, 2004 Atlantic Salmon 9,653 – report
April 6, 2004 Atlantic Salmon 7,249 – report
April 6, 2004 Atlantic Salmon 7,248 – report
April 16, 2003 Atlantic Salmon 12,000 – report
April 16, 2003 Atlantic Salmon 6,990 – report
April 15, 2003 Atlantic Salmon 11,995 – report
April 14, 2003 Atlantic Salmon 15,158 – report
August 29, 2002 Atlantic Salmon 26,470 – report
April 2, 2002 Atlantic Salmon 5,027 – report
April 1, 2002 Atlantic Salmon 9,660 – report
April 1, 2002 Atlantic Salmon 13,800 – report
April 12, 2001 Atlantic Salmon 6,604 – report
April 12, 2001 Atlantic Salmon 6,780 – report
April 11, 2001 Atlantic Salmon 4,480 – report
April 11, 2001 Atlantic Salmon 6,720 – report
April 11, 2001 Atlantic Salmon 6,720 – report
April 12, 2000 Atlantic Salmon 5,647 – report
April 12, 2000 Atlantic Salmon 6,360 – report
April 11, 2000 Atlantic Salmon 11,600 – report
April 11, 2000 Atlantic Salmon 6,960 – report
October 7, 1999 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 – report
October 7, 1999 Atlantic Salmon 12,717 – report
April 6, 1999 Atlantic Salmon 7,500 – report
April 6, 1999 Atlantic Salmon 6,930 – report
April 5, 1999 Atlantic Salmon 6,760 – report
April 5, 1999 Atlantic Salmon 9,240 – report
October 6, 1998 Atlantic Salmon 16,052 – report
October 6, 1998 Atlantic Salmon 15,874 – report
April 23, 1998 Atlantic Salmon 2,438 – report
April 23, 1998 Atlantic Salmon 7,627 – report
April 22, 1998 Atlantic Salmon 933 – report
April 22, 1998 Atlantic Salmon 9,878 – report
September 17, 1997 Atlantic Salmon 13,164 – report
June 18, 1996 Brown Trout 10,000 – report
June 17, 1996 Brown Trout 3,344 – report
June 17, 1996 Brown Trout 2,240 – report
June 12, 1996 Brown Trout 20,260 – report
May 14, 1996 Brown Trout 9,264 – report
April 20, 1995 Brown Trout 9,965 – report
April 19, 1995 Brown Trout 15,198 – report
April 19, 1995 Brown Trout 15,209 – report
April 18, 1995 Brown Trout 9,994 – report
May 20, 1994 Rainbow Trout 14,997 – report
May 19, 1994 Rainbow Trout 14,988 – report
April 25, 1994 Atlantic Salmon 488 – report
October 14, 1993 Rainbow Trout 15,000 – report
May 13, 1993 Rainbow Trout 7,300 – report
May 13, 1993 Rainbow Trout 7,299 – report
October 15, 1992 Atlantic Salmon 10,002 – report
October 14, 1992 Rainbow Trout 36,936 – report
October 14, 1992 Rainbow Trout 28,680 – report
October 14, 1992 Atlantic Salmon 29,998 – report
October 13, 1992 Rainbow Trout 40,441 – report
October 7, 1992 Rainbow Trout 121,320 – report
October 1, 1992 Rainbow Trout 39,669 – report
May 4, 1992 Brown Trout 11,477 – report
April 28, 1992 Brown Trout 21,306 – report
April 28, 1992 Brown Trout 11,477 – report
April 27, 1992 Brown Trout 12,045 – report
April 23, 1992 Brown Trout 15,694 – report
October 3, 1991 Atlantic Salmon 19,290 – report
September 23, 1991 Atlantic Salmon 20,445 – report
May 21, 1991 Brown Trout 13,500 – report
May 15, 1991 Brown Trout 7,390 – report
May 15, 1991 Brown Trout 2,769 – report
April 22, 1991 Brown Trout 7,000 – report
April 22, 1991 Brown Trout 14,000 – report
April 18, 1991 Brown Trout 14,000 – report
April 15, 1991 Brown Trout 19,440 – report
November 29, 1990 Atlantic Salmon 12,490 – report
June 4, 1990 Brown Trout 3,749 – report
May 8, 1990 Brown Trout 14,158 – report
April 25, 1990 Brown Trout 17,452 – report
April 16, 1990 Brown Trout 19,490 – report
April 13, 1990 Brown Trout 20,150 – report
May 17, 1989 Brown Trout 2,019 – report
May 1, 1989 Brown Trout 32,989 – report
May 1, 1989 Brown Trout 13,116 – report
April 28, 1989 Brown Trout 26,784 – report
May 4, 1988 Brown Trout 37,523 – report
April 28, 1988 Brown Trout 17,477 – report
April 19, 1988 Brown Trout 20,000 – report
May 29, 1987 Brook Trout 21,880 – report
May 27, 1987 Brown Trout 15,024 – report
May 15, 1987 Brown Trout 22,520 – report
April 28, 1987 Brown Trout 3,158 – report
April 28, 1987 Brown Trout 10,444 – report
April 27, 1987 Brown Trout 13,884 – report
October 24, 1986 Atlantic Salmon 14,760 – report
May 17, 1986 Lake Trout 25,000 – report
May 1, 1986 Lake Trout 25,000 – report
April 17, 1985 Lake Trout 40,000 – report
April 26, 1983 Lake Trout 65,000 – report
May 4, 1982 Lake Trout 35,000 – report
May 3, 1982 Lake Trout 35,000 – report
April 28, 1981 Lake Trout 25,000 – report
April 27, 1981 Lake Trout 25,000 – report
May 2, 1980 Lake Trout 50,000 – report
May 10, 1979 Lake Trout 70,000 – 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.

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