Palmer Lake, St. Joseph County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Where it is

at Colon

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 41.9416° N, 85.3244° W

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

Today on the lake

Updated 14 Oct 2026, 6:22 pm EDT. Get alerts for Palmer Lake

WEATHERTonight: mostly cloudy, 51°F, wind NE 5 to 10 mph. Thursday: showers and thunderstorms likely, 63°F, wind E 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.

ALGAECAUTION Satellite detected cyanobacteria across about 27% of the lake on 13 Oct 2026, the latest clear-sky image.

LAUNCHESPalmer 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 40 ft

051015203040feet

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

Size and depth

497 acres · deepest 40 ft (measured) · shoreline about 7.9 mi · clarity about 4 ft

Palmer Lake is the 5th largest of the 67 named lakes of 10 acres or more in St. Joseph County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 10th deepest of the 26 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 3 of the other 53 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 7.9 miles along the state outline. About 28% of its area is deeper than 15 ft.

Ranks against St. Joseph 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 Palmer Lake.

Palmer Lake · Cassopolis Field Office · Open

1 ramp lane · 5 trailer spaces · vault toilet · accessible restroom · Recreation Passport required

Local boating rules, St. Joseph County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 4 ft (Secchi depth 1.3 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 4.4 ft of 40 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

The area around Palmer Lake

19 other lakes of 10+ acres within about 6 miles of Palmer Lake; 1 public launch in magenta. Sources: Michigan DNR, US Census Bureau.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Long Lake32 ft deep · 1.7 mi · St. Joseph County

Havens Lake20 ft deep · 4.1 mi · St. Joseph County

Eberhard Lake30 ft deep · 4.2 mi · St. Joseph County

Leidy Lake20 ft deep · 4.4 mi · St. Joseph County

Goodrich Lake37 ft deep · 4.5 mi · County

Prairie River Lake57 ft deep · 6.7 mi · St. Joseph County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Palmer Lake?

Palmer Lake is 40 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 497 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Palmer Lake?

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

How much of Palmer Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 34% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.