Matteson Lake
Fishing and stocking
Yellow perch water, stocked once in 2026; 1,000 fish reported. A 313-acre lake.
Branch County · Michigan · see it on the national map
The year here
stocked last 7 days announced ahead · tap a tick for details
What swims here
Yellow perch
Stocking record 2026
Agency feed checked Oct 14.
| Date | Species | Size | Fish | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21 | Yellow perch | adult | 1,000 | completed |
When to fish Matteson Lake
| Major periods (~2 h) | Minor periods (~1 h) | |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 10:19 am-12:19 pm and 10:42 pm-12:42 am | 4:36-5:36 am and 4:50-5:50 pm |
| Tomorrow | 11:05 am-1:05 pm | 5:45-6:45 am and 5:13-6:13 pm |
Moon: waxing gibbous, 92% lit. These are solunar periods, the traditional feeding-time theory: majors around the moon's transit overhead and underfoot, minors around moonrise and moonset. Theory, not a measurement. Times are Eastern Time (EDT).
What the record actually says
- Last stocked May 21
Computed this evening, Oct 23 · Michigan fishing forecast
Getting on the water
| Access point | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Matteson Lake | boat ramp | Recreation Passport required · accessible facilities |
Access points from the Michigan DNR boating access inventory. Ramps, fees, and hours change; check before towing a boat a long way.
Gear for this water
It has been a while since the trucks came. The holdovers have spread out and wised up; downsize and fish natural.
For the panfish (yellow perch stocked 1 time here in 2026, stillwater)
| Live bait | waxworms, crickets, and redworms out-fish everything for bluegill |
| Small tubes and grubs | 1 to 2 inch plastics for crappie around brush |
| Long telescoping pole | reach the pockets without spooking the school |
Suggestions follow from what the state actually stocks here and what kind of water it is, nothing else. No sponsored placements.
Nearby stocked waters
The closest waters with stocking pages of their own, straight-line miles from this one.
| Water | Distance | Most recent |
|---|---|---|
| Cary Lake | 5.6 mi | Apr 1 |
| Lake Gage IN | 17 mi | spring 2026 |
| Green Lake IN | 18 mi | spring 2026 |
| Carpenter Lake | 21 mi | May 3 |
| Hemlock Lake | 22 mi | May 3 |
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