Bruin Lake, Washtenaw County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Where it is

6 miles southwest of Pinckney

Washtenaw County, Michigan · 42.4190° N, 84.0378° W

Directions to Bruin 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, 6:19 pm EDT. Get alerts for Bruin Lake

WEATHERTonight: partly cloudy, 46°F, wind NE 6 mph. Thursday: rain likely, 62°F, wind E 3 to 7 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.

LAUNCHESBruin 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

11 contours, 5 to 48 ft

0510121520253035404548feet

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

Size and depth

130 acres · deepest 48 ft (measured) · shoreline about 1.9 mi · clarity about 8 ft

Bruin Lake is the 20th largest of the 84 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Washtenaw County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the 10th deepest of the 45 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 25 of the other 66 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 1.9 miles along the state outline. About 24% of its area is deeper than 25 ft.

Ranks against Washtenaw 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 Bruin Lake.

Bruin Lake · Pinckney State Recreation Area · Open

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

Local boating rules, Washtenaw County

Michigan DNR boating access, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Bruin Lake 3 times since 1990. The most recent stocking was 14,000 redear sunfish on 14 September 1993. Species stocked: redear sunfish.

3 stockings, 1990 to 1993, log scale

Latest: 14 Sep 1993: 14,000 redear sunfish.

14 Sep 1993STOCKED14,000 redear sunfish

20 Aug 1991STOCKED6,825 redear sunfish

24 Oct 1990STOCKED15,200 redear sunfish

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 1998: lake herring, redear sunfish. Historic records, not a current survey.

Michigan Fish Atlas.

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 8 ft (Secchi depth 2.4 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 7.9 ft of 48 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

The area around Bruin Lake

62 other lakes of 10+ acres within about 6 miles of Bruin Lake, 8 with a page here (darker blue); 1 public launch in magenta. Sources: Michigan DNR, US Census Bureau.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Blind Lake80 ft deep · 0.9 mi · Washtenaw County

No Name30 ft deep · 0.9 mi · Washtenaw County

Woodburn Lake26 ft deep · 1.1 mi · Livingston County

Halfmoon Lake87 ft deep · 1.2 mi · County

Patterson Lake60 ft deep · 1.3 mi · Livingston County

Wild Goose Lake18 ft deep · 1.7 mi · Washtenaw County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Bruin Lake?

Bruin Lake is 48 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 130 acres.

Is there a public boat launch on Bruin Lake?

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

Is Bruin Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 3 times since 1990, most recently 14,000 redear sunfish on 14 September 1993.

How much of Bruin Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 48% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.