Big Fish Lake

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 15

Big Fish Lake is a 105-acre lake located in Hadley township, Lapeer County, Michigan, within the Ortonville Recreation Area approximately 5 miles south of Hadley. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 70 feet and is situated within the Jackson Interlobate sub-district, characterized by coarse-textured end moraines with kettle lakes and gentle topography. Approximately 50% of the shoreline is owned by the State of Michigan as part of the Ortonville Recreational Area, while the other 50% is under private ownership with multiple dwellings. The lake has a dwelling density of 29 per mile and features moderate shoreline development with 61 docks and an estimated 15% of the shoreline armored with seawalls. A public boat launch is available on the west shore accommodating approximately 20 trailers.

Michigan licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Big Fish Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Grass Pickerel

Esox americanus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Pink Salmon

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Big Fish Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

White River Fly Shop

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Know where you can legally fish on Big Fish Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Michigan licenses and regulations

Michigan Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Michigan Fishing License

You must purchase a fishing license if you are 17 years of age or older to fish. If you are under 17, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. Any adult actively assisting a minor who does not have a license must have a fishing license. Please note, a license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles. Michigan's annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.

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Michigan Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Michigan Stream Access Laws

The public has a right to use a waterway for pleasure, travel, or commercial navigation. The right extends to wading on the streambed or traveling on ice. While constant movement is not required, neither can a vessel be permanently moored or use the waterway as a parking spot. The riparian owner (the owner of the land along the water) owns the streambed, but that right is subordinate to the right of navigation. On non-navigable waters the riparian owner has the right to fish and can exclude the public from fishing on such waters. But on navigable waters, the rights of the private owners are inferior to the public trust right to fish the waters.

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Take Big Fish Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Big Fish Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Big Fish Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.