How deep is Big Bradford Lake?

Big Bradford Lake reaches a maximum depth of 102 feet, according to the Michigan DNR Inland Lake Contours survey. Most of the lake is shallower, with 11 mapped depth bands between the shoreline and the deepest hole.

Where is the deepest part of Big Bradford Lake?

The deepest surveyed water on Big Bradford Lake sits toward the middle of the lake, inside the 102 ft contour. The interactive depth map above shows the full basin outline and the breaks leading into it.

How accurate is this Big Bradford Lake depth map?

The contours come from the Michigan DNR Inland Lake Contours survey. Depths change over time with water levels and sediment, so treat this map as a planning guide for fishing, and never use it for navigation.

Michigan lake depth maps

Big Bradford Lake depth map

Big Bradford Lake in Crawford County, Michigan reaches a depth of 102 feet. The official Michigan survey maps 11 depth bands across 24 contour lines. This free map of Big Bradford Lake shows every surveyed contour as an interactive depth chart you can use to plan a session before you travel.

Big Bradford Lake depth chart: 11 depth bands to 102 ft

Data: Michigan DNR Inland Lake Contours (public record), retrieved August 2026 · depths change over time · not for navigation

Big Bradford Lake depth chart data
Depth contour	Share of mapped area inside it
10 ft	about 100%
20 ft	about 84%
30 ft	about 76%
40 ft	about 68%
50 ft	about 61%
60 ft	about 51%
70 ft	about 42%
80 ft	about 32%
90 ft	about 21%
100 ft	about 13%

Share of the surveyed surface area enclosed by each depth contour, computed from the Michigan DNR Inland Lake Contours data.

How to fish Big Bradford Lake: deep, two-story water

At 102 feet, this is a two-story fishery: warm-water species work the shallows and weed edges while the deep basin can hold cold-water fish below the summer thermocline. In summer, target the transition where the bottom breaks from the shallow shelf toward the basin; fish suspend along that edge at dawn and dusk. The 11 mapped depth bands make it straightforward to find those breaks before you launch.

Ice fishing on Big Bradford Lake

On deep water like Big Bradford Lake, the winter bite concentrates along the first major drop-off rather than the deepest basin. Use the contours above to find where the shallow shelf breaks toward deep water and set up on that edge; panfish and walleye slide up and down it through the day. Late ice often pushes fish shallower again. Always verify ice thickness locally before walking out, and remember deep lakes freeze later and less evenly than shallow ones.

Big Bradford Lake depth map FAQs

How deep is Big Bradford Lake?: Big Bradford Lake reaches a maximum depth of 102 feet, according to the Michigan DNR Inland Lake Contours survey. Most of the lake is shallower, with 11 mapped depth bands between the shoreline and the deepest hole.
Where is the deepest part of Big Bradford Lake?: The deepest surveyed water on Big Bradford Lake sits toward the middle of the lake, inside the 102 ft contour. The interactive depth map above shows the full basin outline and the breaks leading into it.
How accurate is this Big Bradford Lake depth map?: The contours come from the Michigan DNR Inland Lake Contours survey. Depths change over time with water levels and sediment, so treat this map as a planning guide for fishing, and never use it for navigation.

Depth maps for lakes near Big Bradford Lake

Heart Lake depth map · 123 ft max · 2 mi away
Bridge Lake depth map · 87 ft max · 4 mi away
Big Chub Lake depth map · 74+ ft max · 4 mi away
Blue Lake depth map · 80+ ft max · 10 mi away
Big Lake depth map · 81 ft max · 12 mi away

Mapped fishing venues near Big Bradford Lake

Big Bradford Lake in the venue directory covers access and fishing details for this water.

Heart Lake · 2 mi away
Bridge Lake · 4 mi away
Big Chub Lake · 4 mi away

Fishing in Michigan needs a state license: Michigan fishing license guide · all Michigan venues