About Hutchins Lake

About Hutchins Lake

Coordinates: +42° 34′ 47.28″, -86° 7′ 48.00″

Elevation:  636 Feet

Surface Area:  380 Acres

Maximum Depth: 34 Feet

Mean Depth:  10.1 Feet

Lake Volume: 3,865 Acre-Feet

Shoreline Length:  4.7 Miles

Shoreline Development Factor: 1.7

Fishes of Hutchins Lake

This list is compiled from DNR Fisheries Division studies, fish occurrence in similar lakes in southwestern Michigan, and angler observations.

Alewife (2), Banded Killifish, Black Crappie, Blacknose Shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Bowfin, Brook Silverside, Brown Bullhead, Central Mudminnow, Channel Catfish (2), Chestnut Lampery (1), Common Carp, Common Shiner, Emerald Shiner, Flathead Catfish, (2), Golden Shiner, Grass Pickeral, Green Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Lake Chubsucker, Lake Sturgeon (2), Largemouth Bass, Northern Logperch, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Sand Shiner, Smallmouth Bass (2), Spotted Gar, Tadpole Madtom, Warmouth, Western, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Yellow Perch

(1) Not supported by collections from lake but assumed present.
(2) Released/planted in lake by private parties; not native to lake.

Progressive AE Reports

Water Quality Reports

This report provides background information on lake water quality and a discussion of sampling results.

Hutchins Lake 2023 Water Quality Report

Aquatic Plant Control Program

For the past several years, a nuisance plant control program has been ongoing on Hutchins Lake. The primary objective of the program is to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants while preserving beneficial plant species.

Hutchins Lake Aquatic Plant Control Program 2023 Activity Summary

How’s My Waterway?

View water quality reports for Hutchins Lake and the Hutchins Lake Watershed.

MDNR on Ice Safety

Before going out on the ice this year, please take a moment to read the ice safety guidelines from the MDNR below and on the MDNR Ice Safety page and enjoy the ice responsibly.

• Your safety is your responsibility! There is not a reliable "inch-thickness" to determine if ice is safe.

• You can test ice thickness and quality using a spud, needle bar or auger.

• Strongest ice: clear with bluish tint.

• Weak ice: ice formed by melted and refrozen snow. Appears milky.

• Stay off ice with slush on top. Slush ice is only half as strong as clear ice and indicates the ice is not freezing from the bottom.

• A sudden cold front with low temperatures can create cracks within a half-day.

• A warm spell may take several days to weaken ice, and cause the ice to thaw during the day and refreeze at night.

• Ice weakens with age.

• If there’s ice on the lake but water around the shoreline, be extra cautious.

• Stronger the current on the lake, the more likely the ice will give to open water.

• Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.

• Keep an eye out for dock bubblers or de-icers as the ice near these mechanisms will be unsafe. Always check the ice and be aware of your surroundings.

You can find a video and additional resources for your safety education on the MDNR Ice Safety Page.

Enjoy the ice responsibly!