Drowned river mouth lake

Muskegon Lake

Muskegon County, Michigan

Muskegon Lake is a drowned river mouth lake in Muskegon County where the Muskegon River meets Lake Michigan through a channel. MI DNR's 2024 survey found Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Walleye plus Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass and Channel Catfish.

Air temp in Muskegon, MI Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Muskegon Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area4,232 acres

Max depth70 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Walleye●●●●○

Stocked, with recent natural year classes per MI DNR

Yellow Perch●●●●○

Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Important tournament species

Northern Pike●●●○○

Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.

Smallmouth Bass●●●○○

Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.

Bluegill●●●○○

Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.

Channel Catfish●●○○○

Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.

Boat launches

7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Grand Trunk launchRamp
Hard-surface ramp, Muskegon; city-operated, feeDirections ↗
Snug Harbor, Muskegon State Park launchPublic
MI DNR hard-surface ramp; Recreation Passport requiredDirections ↗
Fisherman's LandingPublic
South shore, primary tournament siteDirections ↗
Heritage LandingPublic
County-owned accessDirections ↗
Hartshorn accessPublic
South shore, City of MuskegonDirections ↗
Cottage Grove accessPublic
South shore, City of MuskegonDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Muskegon Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Shoreline Service Bait & TackleNearby
2080 Lakeshore Dr, MuskegonDirections ↗

Search more bait shops near Muskegon Lake ↗

Local tips

Walleye are stocked and also reproducing naturally per MI DNR.
Lake Sturgeon are present and state-threatened; release any caught.
Fisherman's Landing is the main tournament launch and can be busy.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More Michigan lakes

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.