Lake Michigan fishing

Fishing at Lake Michigan is on a natural lake, stocked with Chinook Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Coho Salmon, and Muskellunge, and 12 more. It is stocked about 9.6 times a year since 2010, most often in January. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Yellow Perch, dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Muskellunge, and Largemouth Bass, and dawn, dusk, and night for Crappie and Walleye.

Last stocked

January 1, 2025

Plants on record

153

Since 2010

Species recorded

Average size

6.5 in

Surface acres

14,387,446.2

Access and facts

Water type: natural lake
Nearest town: Howard, WI
Shore access: Yes
Boat ramp: Yes
Facilities: dock

Deerfield Docks Park (950 W. Deerfield Ave., Howard) is a 3-acre Village of Howard park with a boat launch, canoe access, and a 2022 kayak launch deck, reaching the Bay of Green Bay via Duck Creek Slough and Peats Lake; also offers offshore and ice fishing.

Sources: water_type , access.boat_ramp , access.shore , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , photos , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Lake Michigan is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of January. In 2025 it was January 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

Fish at Lake Michigan

Fishing Lake Michigan is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 53 of 153 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and 6 more.

Brown Trout 53 plants

Plants: 53 of 153
Last stocked: January 1, 2025
Average length: 6.8 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 33 plants

Plants: 33 of 153
Last stocked: January 1, 2025
Average length: 6.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Coho Salmon 27 plants

Plants: 27 of 153
Last stocked: January 1, 2025
Average length: 6.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Coho Salmon guide.

Chinook Salmon 21 plants

Plants: 21 of 153
Last stocked: January 1, 2025
Average length: 3.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Chinook Salmon guide.

Lake Sturgeon 11 plants

Plants: 11 of 153
Last stocked: January 1, 2022
Average length: 8.8 in

Muskellunge 6 plants

Plants: 6 of 153
Last stocked: January 1, 2025
Average length: 11.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Brook Trout 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 153
Last stocked: January 1, 2010
Average length: 7.8 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Crappie 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 153
Last stocked: January 1, 2023
Average length: 9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Crappie guide.

Fishing Lake Michigan

Deerfield Docks Park in Howard, Wisconsin, provides various fishing opportunities on Lake Michigan via the Bay of Green Bay. Anglers can enjoy offshore fishing from the park. The park also features a boat launch and canoe access, allowing for fishing from the water. During colder months, ice fishing access is available.

Sources: villageofhoward.com

What to watch for

Warming surface temperatures in Lake Michigan are causing decreasing native habitat. This temperature increase is also expected to adversely affect native species survival, which includes game fish.

Fish stocked per year

815,3452010
830,3882011
863,3762012
642,7402013
670,5732014
902,7052015
987,6782016
426,3552017
386,8102018
491,1362019
329,3142020
456,4282021
657,7722022
208,0002023
524,1462024
204,0602025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 153 plants Showing 153 plants

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
January 1, 2025	Coho Salmon	34,535	6.55 in	report
January 1, 2025	Rainbow Trout	7,087	6.28 in	report
January 1, 2025	Rainbow Trout	7,020	6.4 in	report
January 1, 2025	Muskellunge	1,995	10.72 in	report
January 1, 2025	Coho Salmon	12,500	6.38 in	report
January 1, 2025	Brown Trout	59,290	6.23 in	report
January 1, 2025	Chinook Salmon	81,633	3.45 in	report
January 1, 2024	Coho Salmon	10,980	6.2 in	report
January 1, 2024	Muskellunge	2,000	11.75 in	report
January 1, 2024	Brown Trout	123,393	6.32 in	report
January 1, 2024	Coho Salmon	23,634	6.73 in	report
January 1, 2024	Coho Salmon	67,218	6 in	report
January 1, 2024	Brown Trout	44,545	4.7 in	report
January 1, 2024	Chinook Salmon	252,376	3.58 in	report
January 1, 2023	Muskellunge	303	11.09 in	report
January 1, 2023	Coho Salmon	29,857	5.1 in	report
January 1, 2023	Rainbow Trout	100	14 in	report
January 1, 2023	Chinook Salmon	90,453	3.37 in	report
January 1, 2023	Coho Salmon	24,355	6 in	report
January 1, 2023	Brown Trout	62,882	6.3 in	report
January 1, 2023	Crappie	50	9 in	report
January 1, 2022	Rainbow Trout	44,258	5.83 in	report
January 1, 2022	Muskellunge	366	13 in	report
January 1, 2022	Rainbow Trout	123,158	3.08 in	report
January 1, 2022	Rainbow Trout	125,879	3.42 in	report
January 1, 2022	Lake Sturgeon	8	15.8 in	report
January 1, 2022	Brown Trout	118,120	6.35 in	report
January 1, 2022	Rainbow Trout	130	12 in	report
January 1, 2022	Coho Salmon	68,569	5.7 in	report
January 1, 2022	Chinook Salmon	131,712	3.33 in	report
January 1, 2022	Coho Salmon	45,572	5.9 in	report
January 1, 2021	Muskellunge	2,979	9.7 in	report
January 1, 2021	Coho Salmon	61,496	6.15 in	report
January 1, 2021	Chinook Salmon	267,383	3.26 in	report
January 1, 2021	Rainbow Trout	1,936	4.5 in	report
January 1, 2021	Brown Trout	122,634	6.46 in	report
January 1, 2020	Chinook Salmon	123,037	3.56 in	report
January 1, 2020	Coho Salmon	62,838	5.98 in	report
January 1, 2020	Brown Trout	88,949	6.41 in	report
January 1, 2020	Brown Trout	10,384	5 in	report
January 1, 2020	Rainbow Trout	33,970	6.27 in	report
January 1, 2020	Coho Salmon	10,136	5.59 in	report
January 1, 2019	Chinook Salmon	215,613	3.38 in	report
January 1, 2019	Lake Sturgeon	14	12 in	report
January 1, 2019	Rainbow Trout	67,429	6.6 in	report
January 1, 2019	Brown Trout	129,479	6.65 in	report
January 1, 2019	Brown Trout	20,016	4.4 in	report
January 1, 2019	Lake Sturgeon	1,080	7.8 in	report
January 1, 2019	Coho Salmon	57,505	6.35 in	report
January 1, 2018	Coho Salmon	50,473	6.35 in	report
January 1, 2018	Lake Sturgeon	992	6 in	report
January 1, 2018	Chinook Salmon	217,957	3.66 in	report
January 1, 2018	Brown Trout	10,400	4.5 in	report
January 1, 2018	Brown Trout	58,021	6.54 in	report
January 1, 2018	Lake Sturgeon	10	12.5 in	report
January 1, 2018	Rainbow Trout	48,957	6.07 in	report
January 1, 2017	Chinook Salmon	181,424	3.41 in	report
January 1, 2017	Coho Salmon	22,892	6.55 in	report
January 1, 2017	Brown Trout	120,240	6.5 in	report
January 1, 2017	Rainbow Trout	59,971	6.32 in	report
January 1, 2017	Coho Salmon	40,178	6.17 in	report
January 1, 2017	Lake Sturgeon	1,650	5.45 in	report
January 1, 2016	Brown Trout	59,707	7.88 in	report
January 1, 2016	Coho Salmon	74,369	6.65 in	report
January 1, 2016	Brown Trout	163,578	6.78 in	report
January 1, 2016	Rainbow Trout	2,000	6.24 in	report
January 1, 2016	Coho Salmon	73,725	6 in	report
January 1, 2016	Brown Trout	112,087	8.01 in	report
January 1, 2016	Chinook Salmon	30,401	2.97 in	report
January 1, 2016	Brown Trout	93,554	8.28 in	report
January 1, 2016	Coho Salmon	5,992	6 in	report
January 1, 2016	Rainbow Trout	2,387	5.94 in	report
January 1, 2016	Rainbow Trout	101,280	6.4 in	report
January 1, 2016	Brown Trout	54,231	7.24 in	report
January 1, 2016	Lake Sturgeon	1,105	7.6 in	report
January 1, 2016	Chinook Salmon	213,262	3.38 in	report
January 1, 2015	Brown Trout	99,979	5.84 in	report
January 1, 2015	Rainbow Trout	2,385	5.74 in	report
January 1, 2015	Rainbow Trout	2,257	6.5 in	report
January 1, 2015	Coho Salmon	58,257	5.23 in	report
January 1, 2015	Chinook Salmon	180,232	3.56 in	report
January 1, 2015	Chinook Salmon	31,155	3.4 in	report
January 1, 2015	Rainbow Trout	72,079	6.43 in	report
January 1, 2015	Coho Salmon	106,623	6.58 in	report
January 1, 2015	Brown Trout	87,031	7.49 in	report
January 1, 2015	Brown Trout	67,992	8.2 in	report
January 1, 2015	Lake Sturgeon	1,078	6.5 in	report
January 1, 2015	Brown Trout	77,317	6.69 in	report
January 1, 2015	Brown Trout	116,320	6.91 in	report
January 1, 2014	Brown Trout	136,841	6.76 in	report
January 1, 2014	Chinook Salmon	173,490	3.57 in	report
January 1, 2014	Brown Trout	48,281	7.7 in	report
January 1, 2014	Coho Salmon	98,459	6.34 in	report
January 1, 2014	Lake Sturgeon	1,126	8.5 in	report
January 1, 2014	Brown Trout	87,221	7.92 in	report
January 1, 2014	Rainbow Trout	93,616	6.24 in	report
January 1, 2014	Chinook Salmon	31,539	3.3 in	report
January 1, 2013	Coho Salmon	62,313	6.34 in	report
January 1, 2013	Rainbow Trout	13,223	6.41 in	report
January 1, 2013	Chinook Salmon	32,757	3.49 in	report
January 1, 2013	Lake Sturgeon	1,179	9 in	report
January 1, 2013	Brown Trout	56,703	5.48 in	report
January 1, 2013	Brown Trout	142,071	6.69 in	report
January 1, 2013	Rainbow Trout	58,961	6.4 in	report
January 1, 2013	Brown Trout	6,011	4.5 in	report
January 1, 2013	Rainbow Trout	12,603	6.48 in	report
January 1, 2013	Brown Trout	33,508	8.12 in	report
January 1, 2013	Brown Trout	14,018	6.9 in	report
January 1, 2013	Chinook Salmon	74,655	3.7 in	report
January 1, 2013	Brown Trout	54,555	7.71 in	report
January 1, 2013	Brown Trout	80,183	8.17 in	report
January 1, 2012	Rainbow Trout	13,566	5.82 in	report
January 1, 2012	Lake Sturgeon	500	5.5 in	report
January 1, 2012	Brown Trout	29,229	7.17 in	report
January 1, 2012	Brown Trout	27,525	6 in	report
January 1, 2012	Brown Trout	48,674	2.3 in	report
January 1, 2012	Coho Salmon	71,982	6.28 in	report
January 1, 2012	Brown Trout	107,006	8.21 in	report
January 1, 2012	Brown Trout	115,632	6.99 in	report
January 1, 2012	Coho Salmon	36,251	7.46 in	report
January 1, 2012	Chinook Salmon	52,031	2.93 in	report
January 1, 2012	Rainbow Trout	14,726	5.02 in	report
January 1, 2012	Brown Trout	42,195	8.92 in	report
January 1, 2012	Rainbow Trout	62,362	6.19 in	report
January 1, 2012	Chinook Salmon	200,435	3.74 in	report
January 1, 2012	Muskellunge	264	10.7 in	report
January 1, 2012	Brown Trout	40,998	7.05 in	report
January 1, 2011	Brown Trout	28,688	7.43 in	report
January 1, 2011	Brown Trout	27,695	7.91 in	report
January 1, 2011	Rainbow Trout	100,136	6.25 in	report
January 1, 2011	Brown Trout	125,573	7.17 in	report
January 1, 2011	Brown Trout	10,600	5.3 in	report
January 1, 2011	Rainbow Trout	12,160	6.46 in	report
January 1, 2011	Rainbow Trout	13,238	5.77 in	report
January 1, 2011	Rainbow Trout	8,688	5.25 in	report
January 1, 2011	Brown Trout	87,116	8.5 in	report
January 1, 2011	Coho Salmon	85,069	6.44 in	report
January 1, 2011	Brown Trout	18,540	7.4 in	report
January 1, 2011	Chinook Salmon	312,885	3.37 in	report
January 1, 2010	Brown Trout	51,498	7.16 in	report
January 1, 2010	Brown Trout	15,994	5.55 in	report
January 1, 2010	Brown Trout	31,840	7.06 in	report
January 1, 2010	Rainbow Trout	14,137	5.37 in	report
January 1, 2010	Coho Salmon	26,886	6 in	report
January 1, 2010	Brown Trout	42,444	7.3 in	report
January 1, 2010	Rainbow Trout	17,217	6.88 in	report
January 1, 2010	Rainbow Trout	34,299	7.62 in	report
January 1, 2010	Brown Trout	131,377	7.22 in	report
January 1, 2010	Brook Trout	23,760	7.77 in	report
January 1, 2010	Brown Trout	56,427	7.8 in	report
January 1, 2010	Rainbow Trout	37,346	6.28 in	report
January 1, 2010	Brown Trout	36,490	7.69 in	report
January 1, 2010	Chinook Salmon	295,630	3.67 in	report

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Species found here

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

Lake whitefish : Native species; part of Lake Michigan's original fish community, not among the species stocked at this site. (source)
Lake trout : Native, historically present; population declined from sea lamprey predation and overharvesting. (source)
Yellow perch : Native species; part of Lake Michigan's original fish community. (source)
Walleye : Native species; part of Lake Michigan's original fish community. (source)
Largemouth bass : Native species; part of Lake Michigan's original fish community. (source)
Smallmouth bass : Native species; part of Lake Michigan's original fish community. (source)
Bowfin : Native species; part of Lake Michigan's original fish community. (source)
Round goby : Invasive species now established in Lake Michigan, altering water clarity and the food web. (source)
Sea lamprey : Invasive species linked to the historic decline of native lake trout populations. (source)
Alewife : Naturalized/invasive species; population increased following native lake trout declines. (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.