Fishing Silver Creek Pond

Luce County, Michigan · DNR Survey 2016

Scout's Fishing Notes

Silver Creek Pond offers a reliable brook trout fishery in a pristine 15-acre impoundment 8 miles northwest of Newberry. The 2016 survey captured 108 brook trout averaging 10 inches, with 44% reaching the 10-inch legal size and fish ranging up to 16 inches. Growth runs 1 inch below state average, but brook trout over 15 inches have become increasingly common in recent surveys. Five year classes were present, indicating good survival and longevity. The fishery benefits from natural reproduction documented since 2004, supplementing annual stocking of 450 yearlings. Dissolved oxygen remains suitable throughout the 10-foot water column in both summer and winter, preventing winterkill. The lake bottom consists of sand and organic matter with abundant cover from tree stumps and downed trees from the original impoundment. Aquatic vegetation includes bur-reed, coontail, elodea, floating-leaf pondweed, and milfoil. The shoreline remains completely undeveloped within state forest land. Access is carry-in only from an unimproved DNR boat launch with parking for 5-6 vehicles. Anglers can fish from the dam structure targeting the deepest water or wade the gradually sloped eastern bank. Trail camera data from 2017 recorded 135 fishing trips during the season, suggesting steady angling pressure on this remote water.

Top PredatorBrook Trout
Overall QualityGood brook trout fishery with consistent survival and natural reproduction supplementing stocked fish.

Species Survey Data

DNR survey 2016 · Biologist: Cory Kovacs · Report #2022-330

Species Count Size Range Growth % Legal
Brook Trout 108 3-16" -1 below average 44%
Mottled Sculpin 3 3-4"
Bluntnose Minnow 1 2-2"
Brook Stickleback 1 1-1"

Water Quality

10 ftWater Clarity (Secchi)
10 ftGood O₂ Depth
57.7 mg/LAlkalinity

DNR Fish Stocking

Brook trout: 2,346 total
DateSpeciesStrainNumberAvg Length
5/21/2025 Brook trout Assinica 450 8.86"
5/6/2024 Brook trout Assinica 492 8.07"
5/8/2023 Brook trout Assinica 494 8.15"
5/17/2022 Brook trout Assinica 480 8.07"
5/5/2021 Brook trout Assinica 430 8.23"

Source: Michigan DNR Fish Stocking Database

Ice Fishing

As a small pond in the Upper Peninsula, Silver Creek Pond likely freezes early and solidly through the long UP winter. That said, the remote location means you'll want to be self-sufficient — don't count on other anglers being around if conditions change.

DNR Management Direction

Continue managing as brook trout fishery under Type-A regulations. Evaluate whether yearlings are necessary or if spring fingerlings in alternate years are sufficient. Monitor beaver activity impacts on dam functionality.

Fishing Tournaments & Competitions

Check for upcoming registered bass, walleye, and muskellunge tournaments on Silver Creek Pond.

Michigan Fishing Resources

DNR Fishery Report · Data: Michigan DNR · ← Back to Silver Creek Pond Guide