Lake Charlevoix Fishing
A 17,281-acre Michigan lake in Charlevoix County, trout lake Type F.
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Lake Charlevoix in brief
The state lake layer measures Lake Charlevoix at 17,281 acres; it lies in Charlevoix County. For fuel and groceries, Advance is about 1 mile off. It sits on the Lower Peninsula inside the Northern Lake Huron Management Unit of the MDNR. It drains to the Northeastern Lake Michigan-Lake Michigan watershed in the North Central Hardwood Forests ecoregion.
The MDNR lists quillback, bluntnose minnow, sand shiner, smallmouth bass, spottail shiner and lake whitefish here. Trailers launch at 8 public launches. Summer satellite readings put clarity near 16.9 feet in 2023. It carries the MDNR Family Friendly Fishing tag.
For the smallmouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 The fish list for Lake Charlevoix
These fish come from MDNR records for Lake Charlevoix: Fish Atlas collections from 1970 on, fishing site lists, stocking and records.
Fish Atlas tally for Lake Charlevoix
| Species | Atlas records | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Quillback | 1 | 2000 |
| Smallmouth bass | 4 | 1923 to 1994 |
| Bluntnose minnow | 2 | 1923 to 1994 |
| Sand shiner | 1 | 1994 |
| Spottail shiner | 1 | 1994 |
| Lake whitefish | 1 | 1992 |
| Lake herring | 2 | 1923 to 1990 |
| Channel catfish | 1 | 1990 |
| Round whitefish | 1 | 1990 |
| Rainbow smelt | 6 | 1930 to 1989 |
| Threespine stickleback | 1 | 1987 |
| Sea lamprey | 1 | 1952 |
| Lake trout | 4 | 1923 to 1926 |
| White sucker | 3 | 1926 |
MDNR Fish Atlas and Family Friendly Fishing lists, MDNR stocking table, checked October 2026. Older collections are history, not a current survey.
The trout regulation Type of Lake Charlevoix
| Rule | Value for Lake Charlevoix |
|---|---|
| Regulation | Type F Non Designated |
| Fishing season | January 1st to December 31st |
| Possession season | January 1st to December 31st |
| Daily possession | 5 fish in any combination, but no more than 3 fish of any one species, except up to 5 salmon (Chinook or coho) may be retained. Zero (0) Artic Grayling. |
| Tackle | All types of natural bait and artificial lures may be used. |
| Minimum sizes | brook 10", brown 10", rainbow 10", splake 10", lake trout 10", Chinook 10", coho 10", pink 10", Atlantic 10" |
Type F rules govern trout and salmon in Lake Charlevoix, per the MDNR layer.
MDNR Trout and Salmon Inland Lake Regulation Types layer and 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 42-65.
Where to launch on Lake Charlevoix
- Ferry Beach Boat Access4 lanes, 100 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport; City of Charlevoix
- Ironton Boat Access4 lanes, 43 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport; Young State Park
- Boyne City Boat Access2 lanes, 53 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport; City of Boyne City
- Camp Sea-Gull Park2 lanes, 9 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet; Municipal
- Dutchman's Bay Boat Access2 lanes, 35 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport; Young State Park
- Tourist Park2 lanes, 21 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, Recreation Passport; City of East Jordan
- Whiting Park2 lanes, 10 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet; Young State Park
- Young State Park1 lane, 4 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, Recreation Passport; Young State Park
Fishing from land at Lake Charlevoix
- Lake Charlevoix fishing site, Boyne Cityfishing pier, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, pier
Boat launches by Lake Charlevoix
- Jones Landing ParkWalloon Lake, 7 miles northeast
- Melrose Township Boat AccessWalloon Lake, 7 miles east
- Deer Lake Boat Access near Boyne FallsDeer Lake, 7 miles southeast
- Nowland Lake Boat AccessNowland Lake, 7 miles west
- Rogers Road Bridge Boat AccessJordan River, 8 miles south
- Alba Road Boat AccessJordan River, 8 miles south
MDNR Parks and Recreation boat access sites and MDNR fishing sites, checked October 2026.
Clarity trend at Lake Charlevoix
EGLE averages Landsat images from July to September for Lake Charlevoix; values are converted here from meters to feet.
Chlorophyll a in 2023: 1.49 micrograms per liter.
EGLE Michigan Inland Lakes Water Clarity layer (Landsat, July to September), checked October 2026. Depth is not published here: the layer depth fields are unreliable.
Limits and seasons for Lake Charlevoix
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Walleye (Lower Peninsula) | 5; minimum 15 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Northern pike (Lower Peninsula) | 2; minimum 24 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Muskellunge | Only 1 per angler per license year (April 1 – March 31); mandatory harvest registration within 24 hours; minimum 42 inches (46, 50 or 38 inches on listed waters) | Possession: 1st Sat. in June – March 15; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Yellow perch | 25 | Open all year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 in any combination of the listed species | Open all year |
| Channel catfish | 10; minimum 12 inches | Open all year |
| Flathead catfish | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| White bass | 10 | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 5 in any combination | Open all year |
| Burbot | 5 | Open all year |
| Trout and salmon (lake Type F) | 5 fish in any combination, but no more than 3 of any one species, except up to 5 salmon (Chinook or coho); minimum brook 10", brown/rainbow/splake 10", lake trout 10", Chinook/coho/pink 10", | Open all year |
Statewide rows for the Lower Peninsula are shown for Lake Charlevoix; the trout row follows its MDNR lake Type when it has one.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), statewide tables and county exceptions, checked October 2026.
Hatchery fish released in Lake Charlevoix
Plants at Lake Charlevoix: 3 events, 213,889 fish, 2024 to 2026; top species walleye.
| Date | Species | Strain | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 8, 2026 | Walleye | Muskegon | 4.4 in | 51,558 |
| July 9, 2026 | Walleye | Muskegon | 4.4 in | 40,381 |
| June 25, 2024 | Walleye | Muskegon | 3.7 in | 121,950 |
MDNR Fish Stocking Report table, January 2024 to October 2026. Michigan stocking.
Neighbor lakes of Lake Charlevoix, measured
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Clarity ft | Fish listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charlevoix | 17,281 | 8 | 16.9 | 19 | |
| Walloon Lake | 5 miles northeast | 4,570 | 2 | 12.9 | 1 |
| Jordan River | 7 miles southwest | 11 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deer Lake, Charlevoix County | 7 miles southeast | 463 | 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Boyne River | 7 miles southeast | 68 | 0 | 0 | |
| Nowland Lake | 7 miles west | 123 | 1 | 7.2 | 0 |
EGLE inland lake layer, MDNR access sites and Fish Atlas.
What sits close to Lake Charlevoix
Lakes to try next to Lake Charlevoix
- Walloon Lake5 miles northeast
- Jordan River7 miles southwest
- Deer Lake, Charlevoix County7 miles southeast
- Boyne River7 miles southeast
- Nowland Lake7 miles west
Where to pick up bait for Lake Charlevoix
- Bay Marinamarina, Boyne City, 1 mile
- Harborage Marinamarina, Boyne City, 3 miles
- Mobile Marine Servicesmarina, East Jordan, 4 miles
- Ironton Cove Landings & Marinamarina, Charlevoix, 6 miles
- Somday Sailing Inc Swanmarina, East Jordan, 6 miles
- Four Seasons Marina Incmarina, East Jordan, 6 miles
Charter captains and guides near Lake Charlevoix
- Fish With Jim Outfitterscharter, Mancelona, (248) 252-1277
- MFM Sport Fishing Charter and Guide Servicecharter, Indian River, (231) 290-0975
- Plumber's Helper Charter Servicecharter, Petoskey, (231) 357-1513
- Torch Time Charters Northcharter, Central Lake, (231) 590-1949
Towns that put you close to Lake Charlevoix
- Advance1 mile
- Horton Bay3 miles
- Boyne City3 miles
The counties around Lake Charlevoix
- Charlevoix Countyseat: Charlevoix
Piscifun spinning and baitcasting picks for Lake Charlevoix
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Identifying the fish of Lake Charlevoix
Photo: Robert Colletta, Public domain
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Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWSmidwest, Public domain
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What to know ahead of a day at Lake Charlevoix
Which MDNR unit manages Lake Charlevoix?
Charlevoix County, Northern Lake Huron Management Unit, about 1 mile from Advance.
What surface area does EGLE give Lake Charlevoix?
The state layer shows 17,281 acres.
Is there a ramp for trailers on Lake Charlevoix?
8 public launches, led by Ferry Beach Boat Access.
What bites in Lake Charlevoix?
Expect quillback, bluntnose minnow, sand shiner, smallmouth bass, spottail shiner, lake whitefish and channel catfish.
What are the walleye limits on Lake Charlevoix?
Walleye (Lower Peninsula): 5; minimum 15 inches; season Last Sat. in April – March 15.
What does a visitor from out of state pay for Lake Charlevoix?
Trout and salmon need no separate stamp in Michigan; the all-species license ($26 resident, $76 nonresident a year) covers them.
How far can you see into Lake Charlevoix?
About 16.9 feet of Secchi depth in 2023, from EGLE satellite data.
Which tackle store sits handiest to Lake Charlevoix?
Bay Marina is the nearest, 1 mile away.
When was Lake Charlevoix last stocked?
The 2026 record lists 51,558 walleye and 40,381 walleye.
What trout season applies on Lake Charlevoix?
Type F (type f non designated): 5 fish in any combination, but no more than 3 fish of any one species, except up to 5 salmon (Chinook or coho) may be retained. Zero (0) Artic Grayling. Season january 1st to december 31st.
Line up a day on Lake Charlevoix
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