Van Etten Lake
Van Etten Lake is a warmwater lake about two miles north of Oscoda in Iosco County, with a sandy bottom and muck in deeper areas. A dam maintains a court-ordered water level, and the lake is known for abundant perch alongside walleye, northern pike and bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Yellow Perch
Abundant but slow-growing
Walleye
Self-sustaining; stocking ended after 2018
Northern Pike
Excellent growth per DNR
Crappie
Occasional quality catches
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- DNR public boat launchPublicGravel surface, accommodates about six trailers; state forest campground on west shoreDirections ↗
- 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 Van Etten 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
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Wellman's Party and BaitNearby910 S. State St., Oscoda989-739-0900Directions ↗
Local tips
- Yellow perch dominate numerically but grow slowly, so expect many small fish.
- Northern pike show excellent growth, with legal-size fish available.
- The DNR launch is gravel with room for only about six trailers, so arrive early.
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.