Whitmore Lake fishing

Fishing at Whitmore Lake has Tiger Muskie, Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass, and 3 more on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1979, most often in June and August. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Bluegill, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

Last stocked

July 8, 2026

Plants on record

17

Since 1979

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

575.8

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

A 667-acre lake straddling the Livingston/Washtenaw county line. A state-owned access site on the northwest shore has a skid pier and concrete launching ramp, administered by Island Lake State Recreation Area; a Recreation Passport is required. 1 toilet on site.

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

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How Whitmore Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of August. In 2026 it was July 8, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 33 years between 1979 and 2026.

About 465 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 8 lakes in Livingston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Whitmore Lake

Fishing Whitmore Lake is most likely to be for Tiger Muskie. Tiger Muskie accounts for 9 of 17 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and one more.

Tiger Muskie 9 plants
Plants
9 of 17
Last stocked
October 4, 1991

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Walleye 7 plants
Plants
7 of 17
Last stocked
July 8, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Northern Pike 1 plant
Plants
1 of 17
Last stocked
June 24, 2005

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,4001979
  • 1,4001980
  • 1,0001981
  • 1,5001983
  • 1,2001985
  • 1,6001987
  • 2,0001989
  • 2,0001991
  • 1,1632005
  • 51,5562014
  • 1,3992015
  • 58,1802017
  • 42,2772021
  • 63,2432023
  • 37,9542026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 17 plants Showing 17 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
July 8, 2026 Walleye 37,954 – report
June 27, 2023 Walleye 63,243 – report
June 22, 2021 Walleye 42,277 – report
June 27, 2017 Walleye 58,180 – report
November 2, 2015 Walleye 180 – report
November 2, 2015 Walleye 1,219 – report
June 26, 2014 Walleye 51,556 – report
June 24, 2005 Northern Pike 1,163 – report
October 4, 1991 Tiger Muskie 2,000 – report
September 19, 1989 Tiger Muskie 2,000 – report
October 5, 1987 Tiger Muskie 1,600 – report
August 13, 1985 Tiger Muskie 1,200 – report
August 8, 1983 Tiger Muskie 500 – report
August 2, 1983 Tiger Muskie 1,000 – report
August 11, 1981 Tiger Muskie 1,000 – report
September 17, 1980 Tiger Muskie 1,400 – report
July 13, 1979 Tiger Muskie 1,400 – report
Show 2 more plants Show less

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Bluegill : Predominant species in trap-net surveys (596 fish, 64% of the catch, 1992); not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Largemouth bass : 73 captured in a 1992 fisheries survey, though growth has been poor for decades; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Smallmouth bass : Documented in surveys as early as 1927; only 2 captured in 1992. Not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Black crappie : 108 captured in a 1992 trap-net survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Rock bass : 45 captured in a 1992 trap-net survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Pumpkinseed : 50 captured in a 1992 trap-net survey, with better growth than the lake's other panfish; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)

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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