BBield / fish

Stocking schedule by species

Lake Trout stocking schedule — all states.

  • Salvelinus namaycush
  • Restoration
  • Put and Grow
  • Stocking Now

Lake trout stocking is restoration-focused, not put-and-take. Stocked fingerlings disperse to deep cold water and may take 7–10 years to reach catchable size. Great Lakes lake trout restoration in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior is one of the largest fishery restoration efforts in North America.

National calendar

Typical lake trout stocking calendar.

Across the 9 states that stock lake trout, the typical stocking months are below. Specific dates and waters vary by state — consult each agency report.

JanJan — no stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsFebFeb — no stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsMarMar — no stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsAprApr — moderate stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsMayMay — moderate stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsJunJun — moderate stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsJulJul — no stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsAugAug — no stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsSepSep — no stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsOctOct — moderate stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsNovNov — moderate stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockingsDecDec — no stocking Lake Trout typical size: 4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockings
Typical stocking size4–6 inch fingerling primarily; some yearling stockings
Stocking water temperature38–55°F

Targeting

Newly-stocked lake trout.

Lake trout aren't targeted in their first year post-stocking — they're far too small. Catchable-size fish (5+ years post-stocking) hold in deep cold water year-round. Vertical jigging and downrigger trolling at thermocline depth are standard tactics.

lakesgreat lakes

States

That stock lake trout.

7 states have notable lake trout stocking programs. Click through for the state-specific schedule and official agency report.

Lake Trout stocking alerts — your home water.

Bield Fish parses agency stocking reports across states and pushes alerts when lake trout hit your saved waters.

Start free trial →
← All stocking schedules