Bristol Lake, Barry County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Where it is

11 miles southwest of Nashville

Barry County, Michigan · 42.4892° N, 85.2458° W

Directions to Bristol Lake Apple Maps

Directions open in Google or Apple Maps, to the Michigan DNR public access site.

Today on the lake

Updated 14 Oct 2026, 6:18 pm EDT. Get alerts for Bristol Lake

WEATHERTonight: partly cloudy, 47°F, wind NE 5 to 8 mph. Thursday: showers and thunderstorms, 63°F, wind ESE 9 mph.

WARNINGSNo weather or fire warnings in effect.

FIRENo wildfires or prescribed burns reported within 25 miles.

BURNINGCampfires and debris burning: check today's status with Michigan DNR.

ALGAEToo small for satellite monitoring (under 1 km²). No bloom reports on record with Michigan DHHS.

LAUNCHESBristol Lake: listed open. Michigan DNR record updated 3 Apr 2026.

National Weather Service; National Interagency Fire Center; U.S. EPA CyAN satellite; Michigan DHHS; Michigan DNR. Weather, warnings, fires and satellite refresh when you open the page (checked at most hourly).

Depth map

6 contours, 5 to 40 ft

051015203040feet

Michigan DNR survey, fetched 7 Oct 2026. Not for navigation.

Size and depth

140 acres · deepest 40 ft (measured) · shoreline about 5.2 mi · clarity about 12 ft

Bristol Lake is the 20th largest of the 125 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Barry County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 16th deepest of the 44 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 72 of the other 94 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 5.2 miles along the state outline. About 64% of its area is deeper than 15 ft.

Ranks against Barry County lakes in Michigan hydrography, Michigan DNR lake surveys and Michigan EGLE satellite clarity; shoreline measured from the state outline. How we measure

Getting on the water

1 public access site on Bristol Lake.

Bristol Lake · Fort Custer State Recreation Area · Open

1 ramp lane · 4 trailer spaces · 4 car spaces · vault toilet · accessible restroom · Recreation Passport required

Local boating rules, Barry County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Bristol Lake 4 times since 1998. The most recent stocking was 3,191 walleye on 2 June 2000. Species stocked: walleye.

4 stockings, 1998 to 2000, log scale

Latest: 2 Jun 2000: 3,191 walleye.

2 Jun 2000STOCKED3,191 walleye

26 May 1999STOCKED15,131 walleye

5 Jun 1998STOCKED4,442 walleye

Source: Michigan DNR Fisheries, fetched 7 Oct 2026. How we measure

Where the deep water is

Show water deeper than

Measured from Michigan DNR contours. How we measure

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 12 ft (Secchi depth 3.6 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 11.9 ft of 40 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

The area around Bristol Lake

148 other lakes of 10+ acres within about 12 miles of Bristol Lake, 7 with a page here (darker blue); 1 public launch in magenta. Sources: Michigan DNR, US Census Bureau.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Long Lake40 ft deep · 1.1 mi · Barry County

Clear Lake16 ft deep · 1.9 mi · Barry County

Culver Lake45 ft deep · 2.2 mi · Barry County

Mill Lake40 ft deep · 2.5 mi · Barry County

Wabascon Lake45 ft deep · 5.5 mi · Calhoun County

Big Cedar Lake35 ft deep · 5.5 mi · Barry County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Bristol Lake?

Bristol Lake is 40 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 140 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Bristol Lake?

Yes. 1 public access site is listed: Bristol Lake.

Is Bristol Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 4 times since 1998, most recently 3,191 walleye on 2 June 2000.

How much of Bristol Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 74% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.