Big Bradford Lake
Big Bradford Lake sits in Otsego and Crawford counties near Gaylord. It is a deep lake known for northern pike, walleye and yellow perch.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Northern Pike
Abundant in DNR surveys, about 2.7 adults per acre in 2007
Walleye
Stocked every other year since 2012, fish over 20 inches reported
Yellow Perch
Declined after overharvest, anglers reported good fishing 2017-2020
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Bluegill
Many small fish
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Big Bradford Lake DNR boating accessRampState-run boating access site on the southeast shore.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Big Bradford Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Big Bradford Lake ↗Local tips
- Fish deeper water for perch and walleye since the lake drops to over 100 feet.
- Pike are plentiful, so use a steel leader.
- Try the southeast shore near the ramp first.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Michigan lakes
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.