Ess Lake, Montmorency County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Where it is

5 miles northwest of Hillman

Montmorency County, Michigan · 45.1125° N, 83.9816° W

Directions to Ess Lake SFCG Apple Maps

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

Today on the lake

Updated 14 Oct 2026, 5:53 pm EDT. Get alerts for Ess Lake

WEATHERThis Afternoon: mostly cloudy, 57°F, wind NW 10 mph. Tonight: mostly cloudy, 37°F, wind N 0 to 10 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.

LAUNCHESEss Lake SFCG: 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

7 contours, 5 to 51 ft

05102030405051feet

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

Size and depth

119 acres · deepest 51 ft (measured) · shoreline about 3.0 mi · clarity about 12 ft

Ess Lake is the 13th largest of the 70 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Montmorency County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 7th deepest of the 36 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 43 of the other 58 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 3.0 miles along the state outline. About 18% of its area is deeper than 30 ft.

Ranks against Montmorency 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 Ess Lake.

Ess Lake SFCG · Clear Lake State Park · Open

1 ramp lane · 1 trailer space · 1 car space · Recreation Passport required

Local boating rules, Montmorency County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Ess Lake 19 times since 1990. The most recent stocking was 11,310 walleye on 21 June 2024. Species stocked: walleye.

19 stockings, 1990 to 2024, log scale

Latest: 21 Jun 2024: 11,310 walleye.

21 Jun 2024STOCKED11,310 walleye

15 Jun 2022STOCKED9,970 walleye

21 Jun 2019STOCKED13,366 walleye

13 Jun 2017STOCKED10,900 walleye

16 Jun 2015STOCKED10,045 walleye

19 Jun 2013STOCKED11,970 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 3.7 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 12.1 ft of 51 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

The area around Ess Lake

19 other lakes of 10+ acres within about 6 miles of Ess Lake, 2 with a page here (darker blue); 1 public launch in magenta. Sources: Michigan DNR, US Census Bureau.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Long Lake84 ft deep · 1.2 mi · Montmorency County

Avalon Lake74 ft deep · 1.4 mi · Montmorency County

Grass Lake6 ft deep · 2.0 mi · Montmorency County

Cranberry Lake20 ft deep · 3.5 mi · Montmorency County

Sucker Lake28 ft deep · 4.2 mi · Montmorency County

Little Brush Lake19 ft deep · 4.6 mi · Montmorency County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Ess Lake?

Ess Lake is 51 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 119 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Ess Lake?

Yes. 1 public access site is listed: Ess Lake SFCG.

Is Ess Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 19 times since 1990, most recently 11,310 walleye on 21 June 2024.

How much of Ess Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 44% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.