How deep is South Lake?

South Lake reaches a maximum depth of 88 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 South Lake?

The deepest surveyed water on South Lake sits toward the southwestern corner of the lake, inside the 88 ft contour. The interactive depth map above shows the full basin outline and the breaks leading into it.

How accurate is this South 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

South Lake depth map

South Lake in Washtenaw County, Michigan reaches a depth of 88 feet. The official Michigan survey maps 11 depth bands across 25 contour lines. This free map of South Lake shows every surveyed contour as an interactive depth chart you can use to plan a session before you travel.

South Lake depth chart: 11 depth bands to 88 ft

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

South Lake depth chart data
Depth contour	Share of mapped area inside it
5 ft	about 100%
10 ft	about 34%
20 ft	about 25%
30 ft	about 18%
40 ft	about 10%
50 ft	about 6%
60 ft	about 3%
70 ft	about 1%
80 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 South Lake: deep, two-story water

At 88 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 South Lake

On deep water like South 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.

South Lake depth map FAQs

How deep is South Lake?: South Lake reaches a maximum depth of 88 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 South Lake?: The deepest surveyed water on South Lake sits toward the southwestern corner of the lake, inside the 88 ft contour. The interactive depth map above shows the full basin outline and the breaks leading into it.
How accurate is this South 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 South Lake

Bruin Lake depth map · 48 ft max · 2 mi away
Halfmoon Lake depth map · 87 ft max · 3 mi away
Pickerel Lake depth map · 56 ft max · 4 mi away
Silver Lake depth map · 47+ ft max · 6 mi away
Portage Lake depth map · 40+ ft max · 10 mi away

Mapped fishing venues near South Lake

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

Bruin Lake · 2 mi away
Halfmoon Lake · 3 mi away
Pickerel Lake · 4 mi away

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