Largemouth Bass Native

🔬 Micropterus salmoides

Michigan's most popular sport fish. Found in weedy, warm-water lakes statewide.

1-3 lbs, 12-18 inches

Typical size

11 lbs 15 oz

Michigan record

Spring, Summer

Best season

536

Listed lakes

🛡 Conservation Status

Native Abundant across Michigan. One of the most popular sport fish in the state.

Warm, weedy lakes statewide. Prefers shallow bays with lily pads, submerged timber, and vegetation.

Plastic worms, crankbaits, topwater frogs near lily pads

Lake	County	Population	Notes
Coldwater Lake 1,561 acres	Branch	Excellent	—
Gull Lake 2,030 acres	Kalamazoo	Excellent	Trophy largemouth fishery
Gun Lake 2,680 acres	Barry	Excellent	Trophy largemouth fishery
Gun Lake 665 acres	Allegan	Excellent	Bass tournament fishery
Lake Cadillac 1,141 acres	Wexford	Excellent	Best largemouth bass lake in West Michigan. Weedy flats perfect habitat.
Magician Lake 755 acres	Cass	Excellent	Chain-O-Lakes area — top bass water
Ore Lake 233 acres	Livingston	Excellent	—
Paw Paw Lake 1,000 acres	Van Buren	Excellent	Tournament fishery
Pickerel Lake 840 acres	Newaygo	Excellent	—
Alcona Pond	Alcona	Good	—
Algoe Lake	Lapeer	Good	—
Alma Impoundment	Gratiot	Good	—
Ambrose Lake	Ogemaw	Good	—
Arcadia Lake	Manistee	Good	—
Arnold Lake	Clare	Good	—
Au Sable Lake	Ogemaw	Good	—
AuGres	Arenac	Good	—
Austin Lake	Kalamazoo	Good	—
Avery Lake	Montmorency	Good	—
Bad River	Saginaw	Good	—

Total stocked: 432,788

Stocking events: 212

Peak year: 1991 (53,873)

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