How deep is Lake of the Woods?

Lake of the Woods is more than 70 feet deep. The deepest contour in the Michigan DNR Inland Lake Contours survey is the 70 foot line, and the lake continues deeper inside it, with 8 depth bands mapped in total.

Where is the deepest part of Lake of the Woods?

The deepest surveyed water on Lake of the Woods sits toward the northern end of the lake, inside the 70 ft contour. The interactive depth map above shows the full basin outline and the breaks leading into it.

How accurate is this Lake of the Woods 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

Lake of the Woods depth map

Lake of the Woods in Branch County, Michigan reaches a depth of more than 70 feet at its deepest surveyed contour. The official Michigan survey maps 8 depth bands across 16 contour lines. This free map of Lake of the Woods shows every surveyed contour as an interactive depth chart you can use to plan a session before you travel.

Lake of the Woods depth chart: 8 depth bands to 70+ ft

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

Lake of the Woods depth chart data
Depth contour	Share of mapped area inside it
5 ft	about 100%
10 ft	about 36%
20 ft	about 31%
30 ft	about 21%
40 ft	about 13%
50 ft	about 8%
60 ft	about 4%
70 ft	under 1%

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

How to fish Lake of the Woods: deep, two-story water

At 70 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 8 mapped depth bands make it straightforward to find those breaks before you launch.

Ice fishing on Lake of the Woods

On deep water like Lake of the Woods, 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.

Lake of the Woods depth map FAQs

How deep is Lake of the Woods?: Lake of the Woods is more than 70 feet deep. The deepest contour in the Michigan DNR Inland Lake Contours survey is the 70 foot line, and the lake continues deeper inside it, with 8 depth bands mapped in total.
Where is the deepest part of Lake of the Woods?: The deepest surveyed water on Lake of the Woods sits toward the northern end of the lake, inside the 70 ft contour. The interactive depth map above shows the full basin outline and the breaks leading into it.
How accurate is this Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods

Coldwater Lake depth map · 90+ ft max · 4 mi away
Long Lake depth map · 45+ ft max · 4 mi away
George Lake depth map · 82 ft max · 6 mi away
Marble Lake depth map · 60+ ft max · 8 mi away
Hemlock Lake depth map · 60+ ft max · 13 mi away

Mapped fishing venues near Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods in the venue directory covers access and fishing details for this water.

Coldwater Lake · 4 mi away
Long Lake · 4 mi away
George Lake · 6 mi away

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