Paw Paw Lake, Kalamazoo County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Today on the lake

Updated 9 Oct 2026, 3:33 am EDT. Get alerts for Paw Paw Lake

WEATHEROvernight: mostly clear, 44°F, wind S 2 mph. Friday: partly sunny, 69°F, wind S 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.

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

LAUNCHESPaw Paw 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 50 ft

051020304050feet

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

Size and depth

123 acres · deepest 50 ft (measured) · shoreline about 2.5 mi · clarity about 11 ft

Paw Paw Lake is the 18th largest of the 83 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Kalamazoo County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 5th deepest of the 18 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 40 of the other 58 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 2.5 miles along the state outline. About 65% of its area is deeper than 20 ft.

Ranks against Kalamazoo 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 Paw Paw Lake.

Paw Paw Lake · Allegan Field Office · Open

1 ramp lane · 10 trailer spaces · vault toilet · accessible restroom · Recreation Passport required

Local boating rules, Kalamazoo County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 11 ft (Secchi depth 3.4 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 11.2 ft of 50 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Bankson Lake40 ft deep · 3.9 mi · Van Buren County

Eagle Lake10 ft deep · 4.0 mi · Kalamazoo County

Huzzy Lake30 ft deep · 4.2 mi · Van Buren County

Sugarloaf Lake20 ft deep · 6.0 mi · Kalamazoo County

Cedar Lake84 ft deep · 6.4 mi · Van Buren County

Hemlock Lake70 ft deep · 7.3 mi · Cass County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Paw Paw Lake?

Paw Paw Lake is 50 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 123 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Paw Paw Lake?

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

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

About 79% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.