Van Buren County · Michigan

Bankson Lake

Soundings in feet · 364 acres · deepest 40 ft

Today on the lake

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

WEATHEROvernight: mostly clear, 45°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.

ALGAENo cyanobacteria detected by satellite on 7 Oct 2026, the latest clear-sky image.

LAUNCHESBankson Lake: Closed. 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

5 contours, 5 to 40 ft

0510203040feet

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

Size and depth

364 acres · deepest 40 ft (measured) · shoreline about 7.9 mi

Bankson Lake is the largest of the 104 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Van Buren County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 17th deepest of the 35 with a measured depth. Its shoreline measures about 7.9 miles along the state outline. About 16% of its area is deeper than 20 ft.

Ranks against Van Buren 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 Bankson Lake.

Bankson Lake · Cassopolis Field Office · Closed

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

Local boating rules, Van Buren County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Bankson Lake 68 times since 1979. The most recent stocking was 326 muskellunge on 31 October 2024. Species stocked: black crappie, largemouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, yellow perch.

68 stockings, 1979 to 2024, log scale

Latest: 31 Oct 2024: 326 muskellunge.

31 Oct 2024STOCKED326 muskellunge

8 May 2022STOCKED1,000 yellow perch

29 Sep 2021STOCKED322 muskellunge

25 Sep 2019STOCKED326 muskellunge

29 Mar 2018STOCKED2,000 black crappie

20 Oct 2017STOCKED436 muskellunge

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

Email me about Bankson LakeWhen it is stockedMichigan DNR has stocked Bankson Lake 68 times since 1979, most recently 326 muskellunge on 31 October 2024. None so far in 2026.When algae is reported or testedMichigan DHHS has no records for this lake yet. We email when the first one is posted.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. It has not happened in 2026.Any lake in Van Buren CountyStockings and algae records on every lake in the county. In 2026 so far: 1 email.

Bankson Lake has had no stockings or algae records in 2026, so its own alerts would have sent nothing this year. The county alert is on by default.

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

Huzzy Lake30 ft deep · 1.9 mi · Van Buren County

Cedar Lake84 ft deep · 2.8 mi · Van Buren County

Paw Paw Lake50 ft deep · 3.7 mi · Kalamazoo County

Hemlock Lake70 ft deep · 3.9 mi · Cass County

Saddlebag Lake35 ft deep · 5.6 mi · Cass County

Fish Lake40 ft deep · 5.8 mi · Cass County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Bankson Lake?

Bankson Lake is 40 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 364 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Bankson Lake?

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

Is Bankson Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 68 times since 1979, most recently 326 muskellunge on 31 October 2024.

How much of Bankson Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 29% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.