Keweenaw, Houghton, and Ontonagon Trout Stocking Map
Looking for places to fish for trout in Keweenaw, Houghton, and Ontonagon counties? We’ve got you covered!
The Keweenaw Peninsula is one of the most scenic corners of the Midwest, offering a unique, rugged landscape steeped in history. If you zoom in on the map, you’ll find bluelines all over. However, as many anglers will tell you, just because there’s water doesn’t mean there’s fish. And, just because there’s fish, doesn’t mean that there’s trout.
Figuring out where to fish in the Keweenaw Peninsula, Houghton County, and Ontonagon County can be tough, especially if you don’t know anyone to ask about where to get started. This piece isn’t going to give up any honey holes; however, it will put you on the right track to finding a secret spot of your own using the DNR stocking data.
The Michigan Department of Resources stocks numerous fish species throughout the state; however, Michigan’s Fish Stocking Database isn’t the most intuitive. It utilizes the Township, Range, Section system, or TRS, to indicate where the DNR has stocked fish. TRS isn’t the most intuitive way to look up a location, and it isn’t a precise pinpoint, which can be frustrating when looking for a place to fish.
We’ve converted the TRS values on Michigan’s Fish Stocking Database for the Keweenaw Peninsula and surrounding areas (Keweenaw, Houghton, and Ontonagon Counties) and plotted them on the map below to help you know where to start trout fishing. We’ve included data as far back as 2020. When you click on the point, you will jump down the page to learn more about that stocking location. At the bottom, we’ll talk about how to find places to fish near those locations. Also, check out our Michigan Fishing Guide.
This map and post will be updated after new data is added to the Database.
Keweenaw County
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/02/21 | Lake trout | 100 | 33.15 | State Plant |
Lake Fanny Hooe is a destination even before you consider that it is stocked with trout. The most recent addition was 100 Lake Trout, and the lake is connected to Lake Superior, so there’s some interplay between the big lake and Lake Fanny Hooe. Most people I’ve talked to have said they’ve had luck with Brookies here.
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/20/21 | Splake | 9,918 | 8.19 | State Plant |
| 04/20/21 | Splake | 10,064 | 8.19 | State Plant |
| 05/16/22 | Splake | 7,740 | 8.11 | State Plant |
| 05/16/22 | Splake | 6,578 | 8.11 | State Plant |
| 05/17/22 | Splake | 6,773 | 8.11 | State Plant |
| 04/27/23 | Splake | 19,999 | 7.48 | State Plant |
I don’t have much to say about this one—they stock Lake Superior with Splake, a hybrid fish born when you breed a male brook trout and a female lake trout. They stock them somewhere near Copper Harbor and get pretty big.
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/23/20 | Brook trout | 599 | 5.55 | State Plant |
| 11/02/21 | Brook trout | 599 | 6.3 | State Plant |
| 10/25/22 | Brook trout | 600 | 5.87 | State Plant |
| 10/26/23 | Brook trout | 600 | 5.94 | State Plant |
Lost Lake is a tiny lake in the middle of the Keweenaw’s rugged wilderness. You’ll have to take a two-track that splits off Mandan Road to get there. You’ll need a car with 4x4 and high clearance to be certain of making this journey. The water’s edge isn’t the most friendly for shore fishing, so a kayak or waders are ideal.
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/07/21 | Brook trout | 290 | 8.5 | State Plant |
| 05/25/22 | Brook trout | 300 | 9.13 | State Plant |
| 05/16/23 | Brook trout | 300 | 8.19 | State Plant |
This is the first entry on this list that we aren’t sure about. When you look up TRS values, they aren’t as precise as latitude and longitude. This area has a few small ponds, but we think we linked the right one. Either way, this lake is tiny but chocked full of trout thanks to annual stock from the state plant fishery. To get to No Name Pond, you’ll need to take several two tracks. Bring the right car and go slow!
Houghton County
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/12/21 | Brook trout | 1,963 | 7.95 | State Plant |
| 05/12/22 | Brook trout | 2,090 | 8.07 | State Plant |
| 05/10/23 | Brook trout | 2,090 | 8.07 | State Plant |
Clear Lake is one of a number of small lakes in the area near Emily Lake State Forest Campground. This one has a small parking area, unlike many of the other entries on this list, making it easier to access than some of the more remote options on this list. Still, most of the shoreline will prove challenging to cast, especially with a fly rod or a Tekara rod. If you’re staying in Twin Lakes or traveling from Ontonagon to the Keweenaw, this is a worthy stop on your route.
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/26/22 | Rainbow trout | 25,488 | 7.72 | State Plant |
| 05/10/23 | Rainbow trout | 25,106 | 6.81 | State Plant |
The east branch of the Ontonogon River flows from Jingle Lake, a small body of water near Lake Ste. Kathryn Campground, and flows to the main branch of the Ontonogon River. The stocking site is near where Lake 13 Road meets 2009 Ft Highway near Sidnaw. The river’s east branch runs underneath Lake 13 Road, offering access to the stream. There are numerous branches of the Ontonogon River, all of which are said to hold Trout and are a part of a National Wild and Scenic River.
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/19/22 | Brook trout | 949 | 8.07 | State Plant |
| 05/09/23 | Brook trout | 950 | 8.15 | State Plant |
Lake On Three has a small parking area, making it easier to access than some of the more remote entries on this list. The lake isn’t large but receives a solid number of Brookies from the State Plant annually. This lake isn’t as remote-feeling as others listed, as it has some permanent residential construction on the shore. Still, it holds trout, and it’s in the middle of nowhere. What else can you ask for?
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/12/20 | Brook trout | 2,280 | 5.55 | State Plant |
| 10/26/21 | Brook trout | 2,280 | 6.3 | State Plant |
| 11/02/22 | Brook trout | 2,280 | 5.67 | State Plant |
| 11/06/23 | Brook trout | 2,280 | 5.91 | State Plant |
Lake Perrault has a small, rugged campground, a hiking trail that goes all the way around it, and a healthy population of Brookies thanks to the DNR’s stocking efforts. The lake is located right off M-26, which runs from Mass City to Houghton. If you’re looking for a place to camp and fish, look no further!
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/29/20 | Lake trout | 80 | 21 | Federal Plant |
| 11/23/21 | Lake trout | 144 | 30.71 | State Plant |
| 11/24/21 | Lake trout | 122 | 30.71 | State Plant |
Lake Roland is a larger, semi-developed lake off M-26. One of the highlights here is Twin Lakes State Park, making this one of the more fished bodies of water on this list. The DNR used to stock Rainbows and Brook Trout here; however, the last few years have only seen Lake Trout. If you’re hoping for somewhere remote and quiet to fish, this isn’t your spot. However, if convenience is king, this might be a place to check out!
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/27/20 | Brook trout | 1,500 | 5.99 | Tribal Plant |
The Otter River gets three entries here because it’s stocked in three different places. The coordinates get tricky here, but the general areas of all of our tags will hold fish and should be accessible. This river is the last place Michigan Grayling had a stable population, but they’ve been gone for close to a century. The river is stocked with Brook Trout; however, there are young steelhead and small brown trout, too. The road crosses various branches of the Otter Creek numerous times, giving you access to fish the water.
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/05/20 | Brook trout | 3,000 | 6.11 | Tribal Plant |
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/27/20 | Brook trout | 1,500 | 5.99 | Tribal Plant |
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/12/20 | Brook trout | 450 | 5.55 | State Plant |
| 10/26/21 | Brook trout | 450 | 6.3 | State Plant |
| 11/02/22 | Brook trout | 449 | 5.67 | State Plant |
| 11/06/23 | Brook trout | 450 | 5.91 | State Plant |
| 05/19/20 | Brook trout | 200 | 12.16 | Tribal Plant |
| 06/12/20 | Brook trout | 888 | 5.2 | Tribal Plant |
There isn’t much around Penegor Lake, and fishing here will prove challenging. That said, it’s incredibly remote and is stocked with a stable number of Brookies annually, making it a solid option for those willing to make the trek out to try and catch them. This isn’t an ideal lake for shore fishing; however, where there’s a will, there’s a way!
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/03/20 | Brook trout | 543 | 6.11 | Tribal Plant |
| 06/03/20 | Brook trout | 957 | 5.83 | Tribal Plant |
The West Branch of the Sturgeon River was stocked with Brook Trout in 2020 but hasn’t seen DNR support since then. Pike Lake Road runs over the river, giving anglers access and a chance to try and catch the remaining Brookies. The water is a National Wild and Scenic River that eventually flows into Portage Lake. We aren’t certain if trout are plentiful in this part of the river; however, other sections still hold trout.
Ontonagon County
Choate Road
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/09/20 | Brook trout | 500 | 5.2 | Tribal Plant |
Sleepy Hollow Road
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/09/20 | Brook trout | 500 | 5.2 | Tribal Plant |
In 2020, the DNR stocked Brook Trout in two places on the Bluff Creek. They haven’t since, so we’re not certain whether they will do it again. The Bluff Creek is a cold water stream that runs into the Ontonagon River and was a target of the DNR in the late 1990s. After work was completed to reduce turbulence in the river thanks to a dam in the area, the local fish population has grown. There are numerous fish species here, so you might have to be crafty to target trout!
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/15/20 | Brook trout | 260 | 12.16 | Tribal Plant |
| 10/27/20 | Lake trout | 80 | 29.69 | Federal Plant |
| 10/27/20 | Lake trout | 80 | 29.69 | Federal Plant |
Courtney Lake is a multi-species lake south of M-38 in Bohemia Township. There’s a parking area, a small campground, and some permanent structures on the lake’s northeast side. Courtney Lake has been stocked with rainbow trout since the 1950s. In recent years, the DNR has stocked Brook and Lake Trout, so you’ve got the chance to catch lakers, Brookies, bass, pike, and panfish. You can camp here, which sounds like a great weekend of fishing!
Near Mouth
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/2/20 | Brook trout | 3,000 | 5.83 | Tribal Plant |
| 6/9/20 | Brook trout | 1,000 | 5.2 | Tribal Plant |
Hardley Able Bridge
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19/23 | Rainbow trout | 79,193 | 3.19 | State Plant |
In 2020, the DNR stocked Brook Trout in two places on the Firesteel River. Unfortunately, the state isn’t super clear on where they’re stocked. The first listing just names the river (the listing is near the river mouth), and the second lists the ‘Hardley Able Bridge,’ which we’ve found no record of online. That said, the coordinates listed here are within a short distance of where fish are stocked, so you’ll likely find trout nearby. The Firesteel River has two branches, eventually emptying into Lake Superior. Most areas are thought to hold trout, but you might have better luck in certain places than others!
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/26/21 | Splake | 2,994 | 8.35 | State Plant |
Similar to other Lake Superior stocking areas, we don’t have much to say about this. They stocked Splake here in 2021, and they’ll likely do it again at some point. Lake Superior has a healthy population of the Brooke/Lake Trout hybrid, and they’re stocked like crazy in Wisconsin, so you might catch one from the Badger State, too.
Middle Branch
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/21 | Brook trout | 1,996 | 8.58 | State Plant |
| 05/17/22 | Brook trout | 1,799 | 8.07 | State Plant |
Middle Branch Below Agate Falls
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/09/23 | Brook trout | 2,200 | 8.15 | State Plant |
River Mouth
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/21 | Brown trout | 10,261 | 6.1 | Wisconsin |
The Ontonagon River has been stocked at various locations in Ontonagon County over the past few years. The river mouth is stocked with Browns, and further upstream, they stocked Brook Trout. They stocked Rainbow Trout in the Ontonagon River in Houghton County, so you never know what you’ll find swimming around its various branches.
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/25/20 | Splake | 3,000 | 7.24 | State Plant |
| 03/09/21 | Splake | 2,999 | 7.48 | State Plant |
| 03/10/22 | Splake | 3,260 | 6.97 | State Plant |
| 03/15/23 | Splake | 2,985 | 6.77 | State Plant |
Mirror Lake is one of the larger lakes in the Porcupine Mountains (with the largest being Lake of the Clouds), and it has been stocked with thousands of Splake the past four years. You can camp on the shores of the lake in a tent or a cabin, so there are options for fishing for multiple days here. You have to hike in, so you can’t just drive here. There are said to be Brooke Trout here, too, so you have a few species that you can target!
| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Length | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/9/20 | Brook trout | 1,000 | 5.2 | Tribal Plant |
Despite its name, the Sucker Creek holds more than just suckers. The last time it was stocked with Brookies was in 2020; however, the Sucker Creek eventually converges with the South Branch of the Ontonagon River, so the opportunities for fish are endless. The Sucker Creek stretches for miles, so there are many areas that you can fish. The road to get there isn’t well maintained as it’s a fire road, so proceed cautiously!
| 4/26/21 | Brook trout | 265 | 7.99 | State Plant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/17/22 | Brook trout | 273 | 8.07 | State Plant |
| 05/09/23 | Brook trout | 275 | 8.15 | State Plant |
We aren’t certain that we’ve linked the correct body of water here; however, we’re pretty certain we have. Either way, the Trout Creek has been stocked with its namesake fish (specifically, the Brook Trout) for the past three years. The stocking area is near the village of Trout Creek, which has a water tower that looks like a fishing bobber, which is fun.
How to find bluelines to fish in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
This advice doesn’t necessarily apply to only the stocked rivers, streams, and lakes above. Generally speaking, the bodies of water directly stocked by the Michigan DNR are more heavily fished because anglers know there are fish here. That said, there are still ways to find a honey hole to call your own.
Most of the larger rivers see some sort of stocking by the DNR. Because of the terrain in the Upper Peninsula, most of these rivers have tributaries capable of holding trout. If you know that a river has stocked or native fish, there’s a good bet that the stronger tributaries will, too, so long as no dam or waterfall is blocking them.
Thanks to Google Maps, it’s easy to look at the larger rivers with known fish and follow the little blue lines to find a crossing with a road to try fishing it. Most of these streams have little to no online records; however, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t fished. The only way to find out whether they hold trout is to get out there and try!
What should I fish with for trout in the Upper Peninsula?
There’s no one correct answer for this, but there are a few places to start. If you’re using a spinning rod, we’ve had luck with Panther Martin, Mepps, and Roostertail lures. We’ve found that the yellow body with red dots is the most effective, but small stockers will hit nearly anything. If you’re looking for bigger fish, you’ll have to be more deliberate with your choice depending on the weather that day, the kind of trout you’re looking to catch, and the water conditions.
We aren’t as familiar with fly fishing, but it’s certainly popular in the Upper Peninsula. An issue that sometimes arises is that many lakes and creeks are so overgrown that it is challenging to cast adequately with a longer fly rod. You can use a smaller set-up or a Tenkara rod to avoid the overhanging brush. Or, bring waders so that you can get further into the creek, river, lake, or pond to avoid the brush!
If you’re planning to catch and release trout, use barbless hooks or pinch down the barbs if you’re using lures you already own. If your lure has a treble hook, many anglers will switch these out for a single hook. Treble hooks can significantly damage fish, and if you’re catching and releasing trout, there isn’t any point in harming them that way.
Happy Fishing
Hopefully, you’re ready to get out and go fishing. It’s essential to remember to always treat the fish, other anglers, and the land and water with respect. The DNR puts a lot of time and money into preserving these lands and stocking the waters we fish, and nobody likes a litter bug.
Tight lines, and good luck!
