FMZ 8 · Laidlaw · Cochrane District

Return Lake

Return Lake (FMZ 8) was last stocked in 2022 with 1,418 Splake yearlings.

Records here go back to 1988: 17 stocking events in total.

In the sweet spot

Splake stocked here in 2021–2023 should be a good size now. See other splake lakes in Zone 8 worth fishing.

Fish stocked per yearShaded years 2021–2023: those fish should be catchable size now

By species

Year	Species	Stage	Fish
2022	Splake	yearlings	1,418
2020	Splake	yearlings	1,750
2018	Splake	yearlings	1,750

Older records (14 stockings, 1988–2014)

Date	Species	Stage	Fish	Strain / purpose
2014-05-27	Splake	yearlings	2,495	F1 Splake · Put-Grow-and Take
2012-05-03	Splake	yearlings	2,500	F1 Splake · Put-Grow-and Take
2010-05-21	Splake	yearlings	2,500	F1 Splake · Put-Grow-and Take
2009-06-09	Splake	yearlings	3,200	F1 Splake · Put-Grow-and Take
2007-05-23	Splake	yearlings	2,500	F1 Splake · Put-Grow-and Take
2005-06-03	Lake Trout	yearlings	150	Killala Lake (HLC) · Put-Grow-and Take
2003-05-27	Lake Trout	yearlings	997	Killala Lake (HLC) · Put-Grow-and Take
2002-05-23	Lake Trout	yearlings	1,000	Killala Lake (HLC) · Put-Grow-and Take
2001-05-23	Lake Trout	yearlings	1,000	Killala Lake (HLC) · Put-Grow-and Take
2000-03-14	Lake Trout	yearlings	1,000	Killala Lake (HLC) · Put-Grow-and Take
1999-03-11	Lake Trout	yearlings	4,000	Killala Lake (HLC) · Put-Grow-and Take
1992-05-25	Lake Trout	yearlings	5,000	Killala Lake (HLC) · Put-Grow-and Take
1990-05-23	Lake Trout	yearlings	6,000	Put-Grow-and Take
1988-05-19	Lake Trout	yearlings	5,000	Introduction

Recent records (2016 on) are year-only; MNRF does not publish stocking dates. Historical records (to 2015) include dates and strain.

Check the Zone 8 regulations. Some lakes have special rules; we do not summarize regs.
Guide to Eating Ontario Fish for consumption advisories.
Fish sizes are estimates: yearlings stocked 3–5 years ago are usually 30–45 cm; fingerlings take a year longer.