South Bar Lake, Leelanau County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Where it is

at Empire

Leelanau County, Michigan · 44.8199° N, 86.0639° W

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The Michigan DNR lists no public access site on South Bar Lake; much of the shore may be private.

Today on the lake

Updated 10 Oct 2026, 12:17 am EDT. Get alerts for South Bar Lake

WEATHEROvernight: partly cloudy, 50°F, wind SE 10 mph. Saturday: sunny, 75°F, wind S 10 to 15 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

4 contours, 4 to 13 ft

0451013feet

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

Size and depth

78 acres · deepest 13 ft (measured) · shoreline about 2.4 mi · clarity about 5 ft

South Bar Lake is the 15th largest of the 26 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Leelanau County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 6th deepest of the 8 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 3 of the other 24 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 2.4 miles along the state outline. About 31% of its area is deeper than 5 ft.

Ranks against Leelanau 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 South Bar Lake 2 times since 1995. The most recent stocking was 827 bluegill on 17 October 1996. Species stocked: bluegill, northern pike.

17 Oct 1996STOCKED827 bluegill

12 Jun 1995STOCKED600 northern pike

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 5 ft (Secchi depth 1.4 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 4.7 ft of 13 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

The area around South Bar Lake

3 other lakes of 10+ acres within about 6 miles of South Bar Lake. Sources: Michigan DNR, US Census Bureau.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Glen Lake130 ft deep · 6.3 mi · County

Gilbert Lake24 ft deep · 6.8 mi · Leelanau County

Garey Lake33 ft deep · 7.0 mi · Benzie County

Little Platte Lake8 ft deep · 7.8 mi · Benzie County

Lime Lake25 ft deep · 7.9 mi · Benzie County

Brooks Lake33 ft deep · 8.1 mi · Benzie County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is South Bar Lake?

South Bar Lake is 13 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 78 acres.

Is South Bar Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 2 times since 1995, most recently 827 bluegill on 17 October 1996.

How much of South Bar Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 9% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.