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

Where it is

3 miles southwest of Lawrence

Van Buren County, Michigan · 42.1915° N, 86.1029° W

Directions to Shafer Lake Apple Maps

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

Today on the lake

Updated 14 Oct 2026, 6:20 pm EDT. Get alerts for Shafer Lake

WEATHERTonight: partly cloudy, 49°F, wind NE 5 to 8 mph. Thursday: showers and thunderstorms, 65°F, wind ESE 9 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.

LAUNCHESShafer 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 70 ft

051020304050606570feet

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

Size and depth

72 acres · deepest 70 ft (measured) · shoreline about 1.8 mi · clarity about 16 ft

Shafer Lake is the 33rd largest of the 104 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Van Buren County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 2nd deepest of the 35 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 81 of the other 85 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 1.8 miles along the state outline. About 44% of its area is deeper than 40 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 Shafer Lake.

Shafer Lake · Allegan Field Office · Open

1 ramp lane · 8 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 Shafer Lake 47 times since 1980. The most recent stocking was 4,100 rainbow trout on 1 April 2026. Species stocked: rainbow trout.

47 stockings, 1980 to 2026, log scale

Latest: 1 Apr 2026: 4,100 rainbow trout.

1 Apr 2026STOCKED4,100 rainbow trout

9 Apr 2025STOCKED2,600 rainbow trout

1 Apr 2024STOCKED2,750 rainbow trout

6 Apr 2023STOCKED2,400 rainbow trout

11 Apr 2022STOCKED2,500 rainbow trout

29 Apr 2021STOCKED2,500 rainbow trout

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 16 ft (Secchi depth 4.8 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 15.8 ft of 70 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

The area around Shafer Lake

24 other lakes of 10+ acres within about 6 miles of Shafer Lake, 3 with a page here (darker blue); 1 public launch in magenta. Sources: Michigan DNR, US Census Bureau.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Hall Lake35 ft deep · 1.6 mi · Van Buren County

Christie Lake48 ft deep · 4.8 mi · Van Buren County

Reynolds Lake (South)30 ft deep · 5.2 mi · Van Buren County

Reynolds Lake30 ft deep · 5.3 mi · Van Buren County

Van Auken Lake45 ft deep · 6.0 mi · Van Buren County

Lake Cora50 ft deep · 6.0 mi · Van Buren County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Shafer Lake?

Shafer Lake is 70 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 72 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Shafer Lake?

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

Is Shafer Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 47 times since 1980, most recently 4,100 rainbow trout on 1 April 2026.

How much of Shafer Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 83% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.