Information About Reeds Lake

Questions & Answers about Reeds Lake

Q: Who is responsible for boating law enforcement on Reeds Lake?
A: Kent County Sheriff's Department Marine Unit.

Phone: (616) 632-6100

Q: Where do I find a copy of Michigan Boating Laws?
A: DNR Boating

Q: What is the water temperature?
A: Click HERE and scroll to bottom of page. Water temp, when available, is listed at the bottom.

Q: How big is Reeds Lake?
A: Reeds lake is 283 acres.

Q: How deep is Reeds Lake?
A: The lake is approximately 52 feet at its deepest point.

Q: Do you allow public swimming in Reeds Lake from City Parks?
A: No.  We do not have lifeguards on duty and do not allow public swimming from City or School property.

Q: What kind of fish will you find in Reeds Lake?
A: Bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, rock bass, yellow perch, and northern pike are all found in Reeds Lake.

Q: Can you ice fish on Reeds Lake?
A: Yes, warming huts or shanties can be used on the lake but must be removed daily. Ice fishing is at your own risk.

Q: Is there a public boat launch? 
A: Yes, there is a public boat launch located in John Collins Park at 650 Lakeside Drive in East Grand Rapids. Vehicle and trailer parking is limited to street parking. 

Q: What are the public boat launch hours? 
A: Boats launch daily, between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The boat launch may be closed during special events taking place in John Collins Park.

On July 4th the Boat launch is closed for launching and retrieving from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and  8:00pm to 11:00pm due to parade, activities and high level of pedestrian traffic in the park.

Q: Is there a canoe or kayak launch available? 
A: Yes, located behind the Community Center (750 Lakeside Drive) on the south end of the building. No trailer or boat launching is allowed. Canoes or kayaks must be carried from the parking lot to the launch. No cars allowed down the side drive leading to the launch. This drive is the entry and exit for Public Safety vehicles only. 

Q: What is polluted runoff?
A: Runoff is excess water that comes from hard surfaces like roof tops, driveways, parking areas, patios, and compacted soils. Runoff water washes fertilizer, manure, eroded soil, car fluids, and other pollutants into the lake. Nutrients and sediments in polluted runoff can degrade water quality by feeding algae blooms, reducing the amount of light available to plants, clouding water, depleting oxygen in water (resulting in fish death), and changing what plants and animals are able to survive in the lake. Polluted runoff can come from both agricultural and urban sources, and is a serious and continual problem for our lakes. When we remove vegetation and expose soil to the impact of raindrops, or compact soil with heavy equipment, we increase the likelihood that water will move across the ground surface. Many people don't realize that storm water drains bypass water treatment facilities and empty out directly into rivers, lakes and streams.

Caring for Your Car and the Environment

Properly dispose of your fluids by recycling. Do not pour your car fluids down the street drains as they ultimately will drain into Reeds Lake. Car care and maintenance are important when trying to protect the environment. Many vehicle fluids can be hazardous, including engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluids, and radiator fluid. Even small quantities can contaminate water supplies and harm fish and wildlife.

Why We Put Dog Waste in Plastic Baggies

Did you know that pet waste has bacteria that can make our streams and lakes unsafe for swimming? Pet waste left on sidewalks, streets, or yards can be washed into storm drains. This flows directly to our streams and lakes. Water with high concentrations of bacteria can cause human illness. Dispose of your pet's waste by double wrapping it in a plastic bag and throwing it in the garbage.

Avoid Feeding Waterfowl

Watch and enjoy the ducks and geese but avoid feeding them. Feeding these waterfowl is bad for them and can cause unnaturally high populations, which creates more animal waste. Like pet waste, waterfowl waste contributes pollutants to our streams and lakes.

Let Fallen Trees Lie

Leave fallen trees in the water to provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Fallen wood forms critical habitat for tiny aquatic organisms that feed bluegills, turtles, crayfish, and other critters. Many species, such as turtles, frogs, dragonflies, songbirds, and otters, use downed trees as both a feeding area and hiding place. Fallen trees are also an important source of nutrients and minerals for our lakes and they help protect shorelines from erosion. 

How to Manage Lakefront Property

You can provide a strong foundation for wildlife habitat on your property by protecting existing natural features that are valuable to wildlife. Some useful features include: 

• Large, dead-standing, or cavity trees (used by many birds for nesting and roosting or dens for some animals) 
• Large, dying trees (woodpeckers search for insects and bats roost under loose bark) 
• Seasonal pools and wetlands (used by amphibians for breeding) 
• Berry “tangles” (cover for many species of wildlife) 
• Logs and branches in the water (basking areas for turtles and cover for fish) 
• Lakeshore and stream bank burrows (homes of weasels, otters, and muskrats) 
• Sandy soils with good sun exposure (used by turtles for nesting areas) 
• Rock piles (cover for snakes and small mammals) 
• Large trees overhanging the water (feeding perches for flycatchers, kingfishers, osprey, and other birds) 
• Fallen logs on the land (preferred habitat for some salamanders) 
• High, sandy banks (nesting sites for kingfishers, bank swallows, and rough-winged swallows)

Effects of Nutrients in Polluted Runoff on Lakes

Phosphorus is a common ingredient in many lawn and garden fertilizers. However, the same phosphorus that helps keep lawns green is also the primary nutrient that turns lakes green with algae. Too much algae clouds water and blocks sunlight from reaching aquatic plants. It also lowers the oxygen levels in the water which can cause fish kills. Excess algae can impact boating and other water recreation and increase lake management costs for lake groups.