Van Etten Lake fishing

Fishing at Van Etten Lake has Tiger Muskie and Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.3 times a year since 1984, most often in June and September. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night as the active times.

Last stocked

June 23, 2022

Plants on record

13

Since 1984

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

1,413.7

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, dock

The Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground occupies much of the western shoreline. A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane and 1 pier serves the lake. Administered by Tawas Point State Park; a Recreation Passport is required. 1 toilet on site.

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

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How Van Etten Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of August. In 2022 it was June 23, 2022, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 26 years between 1984 and 2022.

About 440 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 5 lakes in Iosco County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Cooke Dam Pond (12.8 mi) and Round Lake (17.4 mi) were stocked more recently. Cooke Dam Pond is also stocked with Tiger Muskie and Walleye and Round Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Van Etten Lake

Fishing Van Etten Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 7 of 13 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie.

Walleye 7 plants
Plants
7 of 13
Last stocked
June 23, 2022

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Tiger Muskie 6 plants
Plants
6 of 13
Last stocked
September 21, 1989

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Fishing Van Etten Lake

Van Etten Lake is a sizable 1,320-acre lake in Iosco County, Michigan, with a maximum depth of 33 feet. Historically, the area featured cabin resort rentals catering to vacationers and fishermen, suggesting that fishing has long been a recreational pursuit on the lake.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,9001984
  • 3,5001985
  • 5,0001986
  • 2,8001987
  • 5,0001988
  • 10,0001989
  • 83,7532008
  • 81,2812009
  • 80,3262010
  • 82,7692014
  • 73,3472016
  • 109,4452018
  • 83,5072022

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 23, 2022 Walleye 83,507 – report
June 7, 2018 Walleye 109,445 – report
June 30, 2016 Walleye 73,347 – report
June 23, 2014 Walleye 82,769 – report
June 22, 2010 Walleye 80,326 – report
June 25, 2009 Walleye 81,281 – report
July 10, 2008 Walleye 83,753 – report
September 21, 1989 Tiger Muskie 10,000 – report
September 23, 1988 Tiger Muskie 5,000 – report
October 15, 1987 Tiger Muskie 2,800 – report
September 19, 1986 Tiger Muskie 5,000 – report
October 2, 1985 Tiger Muskie 3,500 – report
August 28, 1984 Tiger Muskie 1,900 – report

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