Berrien County · Michigan

Paw Paw Lake

Soundings in feet · 922 acres · deepest 90 ft

Today on the lake

Updated 9 Oct 2026, 3:32 am EDT. Get alerts for Paw Paw Lake

WEATHEROvernight: mostly clear, 44°F, wind 0 mph. Friday: partly sunny, 71°F, wind S 0 to 5 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.

ALGAENo cyanobacteria detected by satellite on 5 Oct 2026, the latest clear-sky image.

LAUNCHESPaw Paw West and Paw Paw East: 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

10 contours, 5 to 90 ft

05102030405060708090feet

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

Size and depth

922 acres · deepest 90 ft (measured) · shoreline about 11.6 mi · clarity about 8 ft

Paw Paw Lake is the largest of the 42 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Berrien County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the deepest of the 2 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 11 of the other 25 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 11.6 miles along the state outline. About 36% of its area is deeper than 40 ft.

Ranks against Berrien 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

2 public access sites on Paw Paw Lake.

Paw Paw West · Allegan Field Office · Open

1 ramp lane · 20 trailer spaces · vault toilet · accessible restroom · Recreation Passport required

Local boating rules, Berrien County

Paw Paw East · Allegan Field Office · Open

2 ramp lanes · 16 trailer spaces · vault toilet · accessible restroom · Recreation Passport required

Local boating rules, Berrien County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Paw Paw Lake 24 times since 1990. The most recent stocking was 1,850 walleye on 17 October 2023. Species stocked: walleye.

24 stockings, 1990 to 2023, log scale

Latest: 17 Oct 2023: 1,850 walleye.

17 Oct 2023STOCKED1,850 walleye

11 Oct 2023STOCKED173 walleye

9 Oct 2023STOCKED1,673 walleye

27 Oct 2021STOCKED1,850 walleye

7 Oct 2021STOCKED1,118 walleye

7 Oct 2021STOCKED479 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

Historically recorded species, from records through 1940: bluegill, bowfin, brook silverside, grass pickerel. Historic records, not a current survey.

Michigan Fish Atlas.

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 8 ft (Secchi depth 2.5 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 8.2 ft of 90 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

CAUTION The highest toxin level measured here was microcystin at 4.4 ppb on 26 May 2026, 1 times the EPA swimming guideline of 8 ppb. 3 water samples are on record, the latest from 26 May 2026. Check current advisories before swimming.

Source: Michigan DHHS harmful algal bloom sampling; U.S. EPA 2019 recreational criteria. Fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Email me about Paw Paw LakeWhen it is stockedMichigan DNR has stocked Paw Paw Lake 24 times since 1990, most recently 1,850 walleye on 17 October 2023. None so far in 2026.When algae is reported or testedMichigan DHHS lists 4 bloom reports and 3 water samples here. 1 record in 2026, the latest on 26 May 2026.When satellite sees a bloom startEPA satellite, checked daily, June to October. We email when a bloom first shows on two clear days, not every day it stays. In 2026 that happened on 15 Jun.Any lake in Berrien CountyStockings and algae records on every lake in the county. In 2026 so far: 3 emails.

In 2026 so far, these alerts would have sent you 2 emails about Paw Paw Lake: 26 May and 15 Jun.

Email address

At most one email a week per lake. We email you a link to confirm before any alert is sent; every email has a one-click unsubscribe.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Rush Lake58 ft deep · 4.0 mi · Van Buren County

Van Auken Lake45 ft deep · 5.2 mi · Van Buren County

Shafer Lake70 ft deep · 8.6 mi · Van Buren County

Hall Lake35 ft deep · 8.7 mi · Van Buren County

Round Lake20 ft deep · 9.4 mi · Van Buren County

Crooked Lake48 ft deep · 9.6 mi · Cass County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Paw Paw Lake?

Paw Paw Lake is 90 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 922 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Paw Paw Lake?

Yes. 2 public access sites are listed: Paw Paw West; Paw Paw East.

Is Paw Paw Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 24 times since 1990, most recently 1,850 walleye on 17 October 2023.

How much of Paw Paw Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 70% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.

Has Paw Paw Lake had toxic algae?

The highest toxin level measured was microcystin at 4.4 ppb (26 May 2026). Check current advisories before swimming.