Hess Lake

Soundings in feet · 765 acres · deepest 29 ft

Today on the lake

Updated 9 Oct 2026, 3:17 am EDT. Get alerts for Hess Lake

WEATHEROvernight: mostly clear, 42°F, wind SSW 2 mph. Friday: patchy fog then sunny, 68°F, wind SW 1 to 5 mph.

WARNINGSNo weather or fire warnings in effect.

FIREPrescribed burn Newaygo Prairie RX, 78 acres, 6.1 mi away, began 7 Oct 2026. A planned fire set by land managers. Prescribed burn SER 439 South RX, 43 acres, 21.1 mi away, began 8 Oct 2026. A planned fire set by land managers.

BURNINGCampfires and debris burning: check today's status with Michigan DNR.

ALGAECAUTION Satellite detected cyanobacteria across about 61% of the lake on 5 Oct 2026, the latest clear-sky image. Blooms were reported on 10 Aug 2026 and 28 Aug 2026; not tested.

LAUNCHESHess 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

9 contours, 5 to 29 ft

05710141517202829feet

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

Size and depth

765 acres · deepest 29 ft (measured) · shoreline about 6.0 mi · clarity about 2 ft

Hess Lake is the 4th largest of the 73 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Newaygo County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 18th deepest of the 27 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 3 of the other 59 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 6.0 miles along the state outline. About 3% of its area is deeper than 15 ft.

Ranks against Newaygo 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 Hess Lake.

Hess Lake · Newaygo State Park · Open

1 ramp lane · 12 trailer spaces · 6 car spaces · vault toilet · Recreation Passport required

Local boating rules, Newaygo County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Hess Lake 11 times since 1995. The most recent stocking was 7,000 hybrid sunfish on 1 November 2006. Species stocked: bluegill, fathead minnow, hybrid sunfish, northern pike, yellow perch.

11 stockings, 1995 to 2006, log scale

Latest: 1 Nov 2006: 7,000 hybrid sunfish.

1 Nov 2006STOCKED7,000 hybrid sunfish

15 Jul 2000STOCKED400 northern pike

15 Jul 2000STOCKED3,200 bluegill

23 Jun 1999STOCKED3,200 bluegill

23 Jun 1999STOCKED500 northern pike

1 Jun 1996STOCKED600 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

Historically recorded species, from records through 1953: black crappie, blackchin shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brook silverside, brown bullhead, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, lake chubsucker, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, spotted gar, western banded killifish, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Historic records, not a current survey.

Michigan Fish Atlas.

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 2 ft (Secchi depth 0.6 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 1.9 ft of 29 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

CAUTION Algal blooms were reported on Hess Lake on 10 August 2026 and 28 August 2026; they were not tested for toxins. The highest toxin level measured here was microcystin at 81.4 ppb on 26 June 2024, 10 times the EPA swimming guideline of 8 ppb. 8 water samples are on record, the latest from 8 July 2024. 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 Hess LakeWhen it is stockedMichigan DNR has stocked Hess Lake 11 times since 1995, most recently 7,000 hybrid sunfish on 1 November 2006. None in the last five years.When algae is reported or testedMichigan DHHS lists 2 bloom reports and 8 water samples here. 2 records in 2026, the latest on 28 Aug 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 19 Jun.Any lake in Newaygo CountyStockings and algae records on every lake in the county. In 2026 so far: 7 emails.

In 2026 so far, these alerts would have sent you 3 emails about Hess Lake: 19 Jun, 10 Aug and 28 Aug.

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

Brooks Lake23 ft deep · 1.1 mi · Newaygo County

Ransom Lake24 ft deep · 4.2 mi · Newaygo County

Pickerel Lake73 ft deep · 5.2 mi · Newaygo County

Emerald Lake49 ft deep · 5.3 mi · Newaygo County

Bills Lake90 ft deep · 5.5 mi · Newaygo County

Sylvan Lake63 ft deep · 5.5 mi · Newaygo County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Hess Lake?

Hess Lake is 29 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 765 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Hess Lake?

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

Is Hess Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 11 times since 1995, most recently 7,000 hybrid sunfish on 1 November 2006.

How much of Hess Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

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

Has Hess Lake had toxic algae?

Algal blooms were reported on 10 August 2026, 28 August 2026 and were not tested. The highest toxin level measured was microcystin at 81.4 ppb (26 June 2024). Check current advisories before swimming.