Shafer Lake fishing

Fishing at Shafer Lake has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about once a year since 1980, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

April 1, 2026

Plants on record

Since 1980

Species recorded

Surface acres

72.2

Access and facts

Boat ramp: Yes
Fee required: Yes
Facilities: restrooms

A DNR boating access site administered by the Allegan Field Office has 1 launch lane, a vault toilet, and parking for about 8 trailers, with no pier.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Shafer Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of April. In 2026 it was April 1, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 1992, 1993, and 1994.

About 1,610 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 12 lakes in Van Buren County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Shafer Lake

Fishing Shafer Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. All 47 plants on record are Rainbow Trout.

Rainbow Trout 47 plants

Plants: 47 of 47
Last stocked: April 1, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

3,0001980
2,0001981
2,3001982
2,5001983
1,9001984
2,0001985
2,6901986
3,0001987
3,0001988
2,7901989
3,0001990
2,3361991
3,2701995
2,5891996
2,5001997
2,4301998
2,4001999
2,4882000
2,5002001
2,5802002
2,8802003
2,9912004
2,9952005
2,4972006
2,9002007
2,6002008
2,6092009
2,6002010
2,5962011
2,5002012
2,5002013
2,5982014
2,7492015
2,5002016
2,7502017
2,7002018
2,7482019
2,3992020
2,5002021
2,5002022
2,4002023
2,7502024
2,6002025
4,1002026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 47 plants Showing 47 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
April 1, 2026	Rainbow Trout	4,100	–	report
April 9, 2025	Rainbow Trout	2,600	–	report
April 1, 2024	Rainbow Trout	2,750	–	report
April 6, 2023	Rainbow Trout	2,400	–	report
April 11, 2022	Rainbow Trout	2,500	–	report
April 29, 2021	Rainbow Trout	2,500	–	report
April 29, 2020	Rainbow Trout	2,399	–	report
April 8, 2019	Rainbow Trout	2,748	–	report
April 30, 2018	Rainbow Trout	2,700	–	report
April 20, 2017	Rainbow Trout	2,750	–	report
May 5, 2016	Rainbow Trout	2,500	–	report
May 14, 2015	Rainbow Trout	2,749	–	report
May 14, 2014	Rainbow Trout	2,598	–	report
April 30, 2013	Rainbow Trout	2,500	–	report
April 4, 2012	Rainbow Trout	2,500	–	report
May 9, 2011	Rainbow Trout	2,596	–	report
April 22, 2010	Rainbow Trout	2,600	–	report
April 30, 2009	Rainbow Trout	2,609	–	report
April 10, 2008	Rainbow Trout	2,600	–	report
May 1, 2007	Rainbow Trout	2,900	–	report
April 3, 2006	Rainbow Trout	2,497	–	report
April 13, 2005	Rainbow Trout	2,995	–	report
April 8, 2004	Rainbow Trout	2,991	–	report
April 10, 2003	Rainbow Trout	2,880	–	report
April 1, 2002	Rainbow Trout	2,580	–	report
April 18, 2001	Rainbow Trout	2,500	–	report
April 17, 2000	Rainbow Trout	2,488	–	report
May 13, 1999	Rainbow Trout	1,630	–	report
April 5, 1999	Rainbow Trout	770	–	report
April 8, 1998	Rainbow Trout	2,430	–	report
March 6, 1997	Rainbow Trout	2,500	–	report
March 28, 1996	Rainbow Trout	2,589	–	report
September 29, 1995	Rainbow Trout	500	–	report
March 31, 1995	Rainbow Trout	2,770	–	report
March 26, 1991	Rainbow Trout	1,711	–	report
March 26, 1991	Rainbow Trout	625	–	report
April 3, 1990	Rainbow Trout	3,000	–	report
April 25, 1989	Rainbow Trout	2,790	–	report
May 4, 1988	Rainbow Trout	3,000	–	report
May 13, 1987	Rainbow Trout	3,000	–	report
May 14, 1986	Rainbow Trout	2,690	–	report
May 14, 1985	Rainbow Trout	2,000	–	report
April 9, 1984	Rainbow Trout	1,900	–	report
March 31, 1983	Rainbow Trout	2,500	–	report
April 19, 1982	Rainbow Trout	2,300	–	report
April 1, 1981	Rainbow Trout	2,000	–	report
May 5, 1980	Rainbow Trout	3,000	–	report

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Species stocked here

Rainbow Trout (47)

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.