Shafer Lake fishing

Shafer Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout on a natural lake. Also recorded: Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Bullhead, and 3 more. It is stocked about once a year since 1980, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill and Yellow Perch, and dawn, dusk, and night for Black Crappie.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
April 1, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
47
Since 1980
Species stocked
1 (+9 also recorded)
Surface acres
72.2

Fish at Shafer Lake

1 stocked · 9 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 47 plants · last April 1, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked April 1, 2026 · 47 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

How Shafer Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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 stocked in 1980

3,000

Fish stocked in 1981

2,000

Fish stocked in 1982

2,300

Fish stocked in 1983

2,500

Fish stocked in 1984

1,900

Fish stocked in 1985

2,000

Fish stocked in 1986

2,690

Fish stocked in 1987

3,000

Fish stocked in 1988

3,000

Fish stocked in 1989

2,790

Fish stocked in 1990

3,000

Fish stocked in 1991

2,336

Fish stocked in 1995

3,270

Fish stocked in 1996

2,589

Fish stocked in 1997

2,500

Fish stocked in 1998

2,430

Fish stocked in 1999

2,400

Fish stocked in 2000

2,488

Fish stocked in 2001

2,500

Fish stocked in 2002

2,580

Fish stocked in 2003

2,880

Fish stocked in 2004

2,991

Fish stocked in 2005

2,995

Fish stocked in 2006

2,497

Fish stocked in 2007

2,900

Fish stocked in 2008

2,600

Fish stocked in 2009

2,609

Fish stocked in 2010

2,600

Fish stocked in 2011

2,596

Fish stocked in 2012

2,500

Fish stocked in 2013

2,500

Fish stocked in 2014

2,598

Fish stocked in 2015

2,749

Fish stocked in 2016

2,500

Fish stocked in 2017

2,750

Fish stocked in 2018

2,700

Fish stocked in 2019

2,748

Fish stocked in 2020

2,399

Fish stocked in 2021

2,500

Fish stocked in 2022

2,500

Fish stocked in 2023

2,400

Fish stocked in 2024

2,750

Fish stocked in 2025

2,600

Fish stocked in 2026

4,100

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 1, 2026Rainbow Trout4,100–report
April 9, 2025Rainbow Trout2,600–report
April 1, 2024Rainbow Trout2,750–report
April 6, 2023Rainbow Trout2,400–report
April 11, 2022Rainbow Trout2,500–report
April 29, 2021Rainbow Trout2,500–report
April 29, 2020Rainbow Trout2,399–report
April 8, 2019Rainbow Trout2,748–report
April 30, 2018Rainbow Trout2,700–report
April 20, 2017Rainbow Trout2,750–report
May 5, 2016Rainbow Trout2,500–report
May 14, 2015Rainbow Trout2,749–report
May 14, 2014Rainbow Trout2,598–report
April 30, 2013Rainbow Trout2,500–report
April 4, 2012Rainbow Trout2,500–report
May 9, 2011Rainbow Trout2,596–report
April 22, 2010Rainbow Trout2,600–report
April 30, 2009Rainbow Trout2,609–report
April 10, 2008Rainbow Trout2,600–report
May 1, 2007Rainbow Trout2,900–report
April 3, 2006Rainbow Trout2,497–report
April 13, 2005Rainbow Trout2,995–report
April 8, 2004Rainbow Trout2,991–report
April 10, 2003Rainbow Trout2,880–report
April 1, 2002Rainbow Trout2,580–report
April 18, 2001Rainbow Trout2,500–report
April 17, 2000Rainbow Trout2,488–report
May 13, 1999Rainbow Trout1,630–report
April 5, 1999Rainbow Trout770–report
April 8, 1998Rainbow Trout2,430–report
March 6, 1997Rainbow Trout2,500–report
March 28, 1996Rainbow Trout2,589–report
September 29, 1995Rainbow Trout500–report
March 31, 1995Rainbow Trout2,770–report
March 26, 1991Rainbow Trout1,711–report
March 26, 1991Rainbow Trout625–report
April 3, 1990Rainbow Trout3,000–report
April 25, 1989Rainbow Trout2,790–report
May 4, 1988Rainbow Trout3,000–report
May 13, 1987Rainbow Trout3,000–report
May 14, 1986Rainbow Trout2,690–report
May 14, 1985Rainbow Trout2,000–report
April 9, 1984Rainbow Trout1,900–report
March 31, 1983Rainbow Trout2,500–report
April 19, 1982Rainbow Trout2,300–report
April 1, 1981Rainbow Trout2,000–report
May 5, 1980Rainbow Trout3,000–report

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Lawrence
Facilities
restrooms

The DNR access site on the southwest corner sits on the east side of County Road 681, about 0.2 mile north of 64th Avenue: a concrete launch lane, a small gravel lot for about 7 or 8 trailers, and a rustic toilet.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.

Nearest lakes

Van Auken Lake 6 mi last stocked November 4, 1994 Rush Lake 6.4 mi last stocked June 25, 2003 Paw Paw Lake 8.6 mi last stocked October 11, 2023 Magician Lake 9.1 mi last stocked October 28, 2025 North Scott Lake 11 mi last stocked September 17, 2003

Common questions

What fish are at Shafer Lake?

Fishing Shafer Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 47 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 1, 2026. Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed, plus 5 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Shafer Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 1, 2026. It is stocked about once a year since 1980, most often in April and May. 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. No plants recorded in 1992, 1993, and 1994.

How do you get on Shafer Lake?

The nearest town is Lawrence. Facilities include restrooms. The DNR access site on the southwest corner sits on the east side of County Road 681, about 0.2 mile north of 64th Avenue: a concrete launch lane, a small gravel lot for about 7 or 8 trailers, and a rustic toilet.

Sources (4) +