Lake levels
Higgins Lake, MI
- gauge height
- 5.25 ft
- Condition
- Above average for this time of year
- 7-day change
- -0.06 ft
- 30-day change
- -0.20 ft
- 1-year change
- +0.47 ft
Reading as of 2026-10-12 | the U.S. Geological Survey
- Since yesterday
- +0.00 ft
- 7-day change
- -0.06 ft
- 30-day change
- -0.20 ft
- 1-year change
- +0.47 ft
- Record high
- 6.02 ft
In brief
Higgins Lake's gauge read 5.25 feet on Oct 12, 2026. That is higher than 76% of October readings since 1976.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Gauge height above a local reference point; not elevation above sea level.
Lake level timeline
Records and averages
| Current level | 5.25 ft |
|---|---|
| Record high | 6.02 ft (2026-04-16) |
| Record low | 4.43 ft (2024-10-28) |
| Average of all readings | 5.19 ft |
| Data span | 50 years (13,744 readings) |
Level schematic
Trout stocking on Higgins Lake
Michigan DNR stocked Higgins Lake 7 times in 2026, 80,753 fish in total. Lake trout and Brown trout and Rainbow trout at 14.3 and 18.73. Michigan DNR's published figures for 2026, the most recent season it has confirmed, record 80,753 trout actually released here across 7 visits.
| Species | Fish | When |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 31,454 | April 2026 |
| Brown trout | 6,789 | April 2026 |
| Rainbow trout | 11,620 | April 2026 |
| Rainbow trout | 11,620 | April 2026 |
| Rainbow trout | 2,559 | April 2026 |
| Brown trout | 9,921 | April 2026 |
| Brown trout | 6,790 | April 2026 |
Michigan DNR lists a week or a month rather than a date, and counts fish as an estimate. Full Michigan stocking schedule →
Frequently asked questions
Is Higgins Lake full right now?
As of 2026-10-12, Higgins Lake sits at 5.25 ft, which is above average for this time of year. Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 0.20 ft.
What is the water level at Higgins Lake today?
The most recent reading at Higgins Lake is 5.25 ft (2026-10-12), sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings on this page refresh automatically as the agency publishes new data.
What is the highest Higgins Lake has ever been?
The highest level for Higgins Lake in our records is 6.02 ft on 2026-04-16. The lowest is 4.43 ft on 2024-10-28. Our record covers about 50 years of readings.
Is Higgins Lake low for this time of year?
Compared with every October in our records, the current level is higher than 76% of them, which we classify as above average for this time of year. Seasonal comparison matters more than the raw number, because most reservoirs draw down predictably through late summer and refill over winter and spring.
Why is Higgins Lake changing right now?
Reservoir levels move for four main reasons: rainfall and runoff into the basin, releases through the dam for downstream water supply, power generation or flood control, evaporation during hot months, and seasonal drawdown schedules set by the operating agency. Higgins Lake has fallen 0.20 ft over the past 30 days. For the operational reason on any given week, check the U.S. Geological Survey directly.
How much has Higgins Lake changed over the past year?
Higgins Lake is +0.47 ft compared with this date last year (5.25 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 50 years, with a record high of 6.02 ft and a record low of 4.43 ft.
Download and cite
Quote this reading
Higgins Lake's gauge read 5.25 feet on Oct 12, 2026. That is higher than 76% of October readings since 1976.
Download the full record
higgins-lake-mi-water-level-history.csv
How to cite
MyWaterLevel, “Higgins Lake water level, 1976 to 2026,” data from U.S. Geological Survey, https://mywaterlevel.com/lake/mi/higgins-lake/, accessed Oct 13, 2026.
Source: the U.S. Geological Survey. All Michigan lake levels. Readings are provisional and may be revised. About our data and methods.