← Van Buren County

Shafer Lake

πŸ“ Van Buren County, Michigan

Shafer Lake is a fishing water in Van Buren County, Michigan (Southern Lake Michigan management unit).

33
Fish species
1
Boat launches
βœ“
Public access
Conditions today D 40/100 Below-average Last stocked Apr 1, 2026 Rainbow Trout, 216 days ago Keeper size (estimated) Rainbow Trout Stocked fish likely at keeper size by now Access 1 boat launch Public access

πŸ“Š Fishing Conditions

The fishing conditions score rates how favorable Shafer Lake looks for the day you pick (today by default), from 0 to 100. It adds up five things: how recently the lake was stocked, the moon phase, the season, how many game and panfish species live here (such as bluegill, rainbow trout and yellow perch), and the size of the lake. It does not include the weather forecast. The cards below show how many points each factor contributed.

D
40/100
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Conditions score

Below-average, consider a different lake or time of day.

🎣 Stocking
Last stocked Apr 1, 2026
Last: Apr 1, 2026
🌘 Moon Phase
Waning Crescent
Feeding bonus
πŸƒ Season
Late Fall: fish fattening up
November
🐟 Species
7 game species present
Game & panfish
πŸ“ Lake Size
Size unknown
Surface area

Fishing Tips for Shafer Lake Today

Fall fish at Shafer Lake are feeding heavily before winter. Match the forage: shad, crawfish, and perch patterns work well.

πŸ“Š Fishing Pressure

Fishing pressure is our estimate of how busy Shafer Lake is likely to be today. It looks at the day of the week, the time of year, and whether the lake has been stocked recently, because fresh stockings tend to draw anglers. Lower pressure usually means more room to work the water for bluegill, rainbow trout and yellow perch.

Very Low estimated pressure today
Popular stocking lake

Very little activity expected. A great time to have the lake to yourself.

Estimate based on day of week, season, and recent stocking. Not a live crowd count.

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πŸ“… Best Time to Fish Shafer Lake

Combined bite activity across all 33 species in this lake.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

πŸ“ Fishing Regulations

Statewide general rules for the species found here. Individual waters can have exceptions (special size limits, closed seasons, trout lake types), so check this lake's listing in the official DNR Fishing Guide before heading out.
SpeciesMin sizeDaily limit
BluegillNone25 sunfish combined
Rainbow Trout8" (most inland lakes)5 trout, max 3 over 15"
Yellow PerchNone25
Redear SunfishNone25 sunfish combined
WarmouthNone25 sunfish combined
πŸ“… Stocking Timeline 5-year history
10 Stocking events
27,447 Fish stocked
1 Species
216d Since last stock
387d Longest gap
Rainbow Trout 27,447
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Today
Qty / event
Apr '17
Apr '18
Apr '19
Apr '20
Apr '21
Apr '22
Apr '23
Apr '24
Apr '25
Apr '26

πŸ“‹ Shafer Lake Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity Size
Apr 1, 2026 Rainbow Trout 4,100 6.1"
Apr 9, 2025 Rainbow Trout 2,600 6.5"
Apr 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 2,750 6.4"
Apr 6, 2023 Rainbow Trout 2,400 6.3"
Apr 11, 2022 Rainbow Trout 2,500 6.9"
Apr 29, 2021 Rainbow Trout 2,500 6.5"
Apr 29, 2020 Rainbow Trout 2,399 7.0"
Apr 8, 2019 Rainbow Trout 2,748 6.4"
Apr 30, 2018 Rainbow Trout 2,700 6.5"
Apr 20, 2017 Rainbow Trout 2,750 6.4"
May 5, 2016 Rainbow Trout 2,500 6.6"
May 14, 2015 Rainbow Trout 2,749 6.8"
May 14, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,598 6.7"
Apr 30, 2013 Rainbow Trout 2,500 6.9"
Apr 4, 2012 Rainbow Trout 2,500 6.7"
May 9, 2011 Rainbow Trout 2,596 6.6"
Apr 22, 2010 Rainbow Trout 2,600 7.1"
Apr 30, 2009 Rainbow Trout 2,609 6.8"
Apr 10, 2008 Rainbow Trout 2,600 6.7"
May 1, 2007 Rainbow Trout 2,900 6.3"
Apr 3, 2006 Rainbow Trout 2,497 6.4"
Apr 13, 2005 Rainbow Trout 2,995 7.1"
Apr 8, 2004 Rainbow Trout 2,991 7.3"
Apr 10, 2003 Rainbow Trout 2,880 5.9"
Apr 1, 2002 Rainbow Trout 2,580 5.9"
Showing 25 of 47 stocking records, newest first

* Records shown are from our database. For the most current data, visit the Michigan DNR directly.

πŸ“… Stocking Forecast

Based on 47 historical stocking events at this lake. Next likely stocking window: Mar.
Peak Stocking Months
Apr May Mar
Most Stocked Species
Rainbow Trout

* Forecast is based on historical DNR data and is not a guarantee of future stocking.

βš“ Shafer Lake Boat Launches (1)

One public access site is listed for Shafer Lake. Select a launch for details. Details come from the Michigan DNR boating access data and can change, so check posted signs on site. See all Van Buren County boat launches.

Shafer Lake Paved ramp Fee required 1 trailer lane 8 parking
Amenities
Vault toilet, AIS signage, Accessible restrooms
Hours
Open at all times
Phone
269-673-4747
Record updated
April 2026
Full details πŸ—Ί Directions

πŸ’‘ Angler Tips for Shafer Lake

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🌀 Current Shafer Lake Weather Conditions

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