Saddle Lake, Van Buren County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Today on the lake

Updated 9 Oct 2026, 3:30 am EDT. Get alerts for Saddle Lake

WEATHEROvernight: mostly clear, 43°F, wind S 1 mph. Friday: partly sunny, 69°F, wind SSE 3 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 clear-sky satellite image in the last three weeks. No bloom reports on record with Michigan DHHS.

LAUNCHESSaddle 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

4 contours, 5 to 30 ft

05102030feet

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

Size and depth

282 acres · deepest 30 ft (measured) · shoreline about 5.0 mi · clarity about 8 ft

Saddle Lake is the 4th largest of the 104 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Van Buren County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 22nd deepest of the 35 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 35 of the other 85 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 5.0 miles along the state outline. About 30% of its area is deeper than 10 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 Saddle Lake.

Saddle Lake · Allegan Field Office · Open

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

Local boating rules, Van Buren County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Saddle Lake 3 times since 1984. The most recent stocking was 1,000 northern pike on 16 May 1987. Species stocked: northern pike.

3 stockings, 1984 to 1987, log scale

Latest: 16 May 1987: 1,000 northern pike.

16 May 1987STOCKED1,000 northern pike

13 May 1985STOCKED5,000 northern pike

4 Jun 1984STOCKED2,000 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 1997: bluegill, largemouth bass, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, sand shiner, spotted gar. Historic records, not a current survey.

Michigan Fish Atlas.

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 8 ft (Secchi depth 2.5 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 8.2 ft of 30 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Lake Fourteen20 ft deep · 1.6 mi · Van Buren County

Lake Eleven30 ft deep · 2.0 mi · Van Buren County

Great Bear Lake58 ft deep · 2.9 mi · Van Buren County

Upper Jeptha Lake40 ft deep · 3.0 mi · Van Buren County

Lower Jeptha Lake40 ft deep · 3.2 mi · Van Buren County

Osterhout Lake30 ft deep · 4.0 mi · Allegan County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Saddle Lake?

Saddle Lake is 30 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 282 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Saddle Lake?

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

Is Saddle Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 3 times since 1984, most recently 1,000 northern pike on 16 May 1987.

How much of Saddle Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 30% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.