Budd Lake, Clare County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Today on the lake

Updated 9 Oct 2026, 3:15 am EDT. Get alerts for Budd Lake

WEATHEROvernight: clear, 37°F, wind WSW 5 mph. Friday: sunny, 67°F, wind W 6 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.

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

5 contours, 5 to 30 ft

0510202530feet

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

Size and depth

174 acres · deepest 30 ft (measured) · shoreline about 4.2 mi · clarity about 14 ft

Budd Lake is the 8th largest of the 78 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Clare County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 14th deepest of the 32 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 55 of the other 64 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 4.2 miles along the state outline. About 32% of its area is deeper than 20 ft.

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

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Budd Lake 61 times since 1979. The most recent stocking was 174 muskellunge on 13 November 2024. Species stocked: black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, muskellunge, redear sunfish, smallmouth bass, tiger muskellunge, walleye, yellow perch.

61 stockings, 1979 to 2024, log scale

Latest: 13 Nov 2024: 174 muskellunge.

13 Nov 2024STOCKED174 muskellunge

27 Oct 2022STOCKED850 walleye

25 Oct 2021STOCKED750 black crappie

25 Oct 2021STOCKED650 yellow perch

16 Jun 2021STOCKED13,398 walleye

20 Oct 2020STOCKED1,000 redear sunfish

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 1926: blackchin shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, iowa darter, largemouth bass. Historic records, not a current survey.

Michigan Fish Atlas.

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 14 ft (Secchi depth 4.2 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 13.8 ft of 30 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Little Long Lake60 ft deep · 0.7 mi · Clare County

Sutherland Lake10 ft deep · 1.1 mi · Clare County

Townline Lake60 ft deep · 3.4 mi · Clare County

Cranberry Lake20 ft deep · 3.7 mi · Clare County

Dodge Lake50 ft deep · 4.0 mi · Clare County

Arnold Lake80 ft deep · 4.0 mi · Clare County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Budd Lake?

Budd Lake is 30 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 174 acres.

Is Budd Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 61 times since 1979, most recently 174 muskellunge on 13 November 2024.

How much of Budd Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 51% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.