Bankson Lake facts for kids

Bankson Lake is a fun, all-sports lake in Van Buren County, Michigan. It's about 217-acre (0.88 km²) big and is located just south of Lawton, Michigan. What makes Bankson Lake special is that its shores are mostly natural, without many buildings. It's also home to two large camps: the Miracle Camp and Retreat Center and a Girl Scout camp. Miracle Camp has been on the lake since 1965, offering summer camps and retreats for over 12,000 people every year.

Discover Bankson Lake's Fish

Bankson Lake is a great place for fishing! It's up to 42 feet (13 m) deep and has lots of different sport fish. You can find fish like walleye and Muskies here.

Meet the Musky Fish

Bankson Lake is especially known for its purebred Muskies. These are large, strong fish that many anglers love to catch. The lake has even been an important source for female musky eggs in Southwest Michigan. These eggs are used to create special hybrid fish called Tiger Muskies by crossing them with northern pike.

How Bankson Lake's Water Level Changes

Like other lakes in the area that are fed by underground springs, Bankson Lake's water level can change. This depends on how much water is in the ground, also known as the water table.

Past Water Level Changes

In the late 1940s, the lake's water level was very low. A sandbar on the eastern side of the lake was completely dry! Some cottages were built around that time, but later, the lake level rose, and those cottages flooded. Even today, you can still see the foundation of one of these old buildings at the northern end of the sandbar. In 2009, it had about 3 feet of water over it! In the 1950s, the water level was so high that people used "float-in" boat houses. A few of these boat houses are still around the lake, but now they are on dry land.

Who Manages Bankson Lake?

Bankson Lake is looked after by the Bankson Lake Association. This group helps manage the lake and keep it a great place for everyone to enjoy.