Late afternoon sun over Slim Lake, scattering a bright path across wind-textured water

Guysborough County Lake Quality

Nova Scotia, 105 lakes, measured by NSECC with no A–F grades

Guysborough County has 105 monitored lakes, enough that within-county variation matters as much as the county average. Some are deep glacial basins, others are shallow agricultural-watershed waters, and the measurements reflect that mix. No lake in Guysborough County carries an A–F letter, and none can: the scale is scored against EPA reference conditions, which stop at the US border. The 105 monitored lakes below carry whatever clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a readings NSECC has published.

Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow, under 50 feet, which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed.

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Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lochiel Lake — or check the official Nova Scotia fishing regulations.

All Lakes in Guysborough County

105 lakes · 0 graded, 105 not rated0 graded lakes · 105 not rated, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (105)

Lake	Grade	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
NRLochiel LakeGuysborough	NR	9.7 ft	3 µg/L	3.7 µg/L	No recent samples	91.9 ft	Not recorded
NRPringle LakeGuysborough	NR	21.3 ft	2 µg/L	1.5 µg/L	No recent samples	85.3 ft	Not recorded
NRFishermans Harbour LakeGuysborough	NR	2.1 ft	8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	7.9 ft	Not recorded
NRSeal Harbour Big LakeGuysborough	NR	3.6 ft	57.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRChisholms LakeGuysborough	NR	4.4 ft	25 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRCrooked LakeGuysborough	NR	11.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRLong LakeGuysborough	NR	No recent samples	8 µg/L	1.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
NRShepherds LakeGuysborough	NR	No recent samples	8 µg/L	3.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
NRWells LakeGuysborough	NR	No recent samples	23 µg/L	17.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
NRPye LakeGuysborough	NR	9.5 ft	5.5 µg/L	2.2 µg/L	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
NRGrant Lake ReservoirGuysborough	NR	No recent samples	7 µg/L	1.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
NRBig Brook LakeGuysborough	NR	No recent samples	7 µg/L	2.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
NRArchibalds Big LakeGuysborough	NR	26.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRPorcupine LakeGuysborough	NR	12.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
NRMccarthy LakeGuysborough	NR	6.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
NRHuntley LakeGuysborough	NR	9.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11.5 ft	Not recorded
NRBlowdown LakeGuysborough	NR	3.4 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRPemmon LakeGuysborough	NR	7.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
NROcean LakeGuysborough	NR	10.7 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	65.6 ft	Not recorded
NRRound LakeGuysborough	NR	14 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
NRWallace LakeGuysborough	NR	9.8 ft	3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRDonahue LakeGuysborough	NR	10.2 ft	4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	52.5 ft	Not recorded
NRStewart LakeGuysborough	NR	12.3 ft	4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
NRPolsen LakeGuysborough	NR	10.2 ft	5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
NRCountry Harbour LakeGuysborough	NR	9.8 ft	4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRGoshen LakeGuysborough	NR	6.6 ft	3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRCuddihy LakeGuysborough	NR	13.5 ft	3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
NRSalmon River LakeGuysborough	NR	7.2 ft	5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
NRLongs LakeGuysborough	NR	12.5 ft	3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
NRCupboard LakeGuysborough	NR	10.8 ft	4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
NRHorseshoe LakeGuysborough	NR	10.2 ft	4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	31.2 ft	Not recorded
NRTom LakeGuysborough	NR	3.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40.4 ft	Not recorded
NRLower Gaspereaux LakeGuysborough	NR	4.3 ft	7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	32.8 ft	Not recorded
NRBear LakeGuysborough	NR	13.8 ft	2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
NRAsh LakeGuysborough	NR	13.1 ft	5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
NRHooper LakeGuysborough	NR	4.9 ft	4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
NRKirby LakeGuysborough	NR	2.3 ft	6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRBull Moose LakeGuysborough	NR	6.2 ft	4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
NRLouse LakeGuysborough	NR	2 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
NRFancys PondGuysborough	NR	3.4 ft	3.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
NRMiddle LakeGuysborough	NR	6.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39.4 ft	Not recorded
NRSmith LakeGuysborough	NR	2.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	3.3 ft	Not recorded
NRNorthwest Arm LakeGuysborough	NR	2.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
NRSmelt LakeGuysborough	NR	8.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
NRWest River LakeGuysborough	NR	13.1 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
NRGlenelg LakeGuysborough	NR	6.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	52.5 ft	Not recorded
NRWhidden LakeGuysborough	NR	9.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRBig Gaspereaux LakeGuysborough	NR	7.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
NRMitchell LakeGuysborough	NR	11.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	52.5 ft	Not recorded
NRLong John LakeGuysborough	NR	13.1 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39.4 ft	Not recorded
NRGiant LakeGuysborough	NR	15.7 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39.4 ft	Not recorded
NRBeaver Dam LakeGuysborough	NR	2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
NRCooeycoff LakeGuysborough	NR	7.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	52.5 ft	Not recorded
NRMcleod LakeGuysborough	NR	10.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27.9 ft	Not recorded
NRCumminger LakeGuysborough	NR	13.1 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
NRSherbrooke LakeGuysborough	NR	8.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	59.1 ft	Not recorded
NRGrassy LakeGuysborough	NR	2.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
NRGary LakeGuysborough	NR	7.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
NRSinclair LakeGuysborough	NR	9.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRGegogan LakeGuysborough	NR	4.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
NRCooper LakeGuysborough	NR	4.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRFish LakeGuysborough	NR	8.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
NRDuggans LakeGuysborough	NR	9.7 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRRobinson LakeGuysborough	NR	4.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
NRHanrahan LakeGuysborough	NR	8.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRMacgregors LakeGuysborough	NR	6.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
NRMackinnons LakeGuysborough	NR	5.7 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32.8 ft	Not recorded
NRForbes LakeGuysborough	NR	8.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39.4 ft	Not recorded
NRMacdonald LakeGuysborough	NR	11.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
NRArchibald LakeGuysborough	NR	5.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
NRSusie LakeGuysborough	NR	9.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
NRMattie LakeGuysborough	NR	9.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
NRBig Indian Harbour LakeGuysborough	NR	9.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRMcmullin LakeGuysborough	NR	6.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRMulgaman LakeGuysborough	NR	4.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRCochrane LakeGuysborough	NR	12.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
NRSquare LakeGuysborough	NR	7.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
NRMoshers LakeGuysborough	NR	14.1 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39.4 ft	Not recorded
NRPalmer LakeGuysborough	NR	7.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
NRLawhie LakeGuysborough	NR	12.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
NRFrog LakeGuysborough	NR	6.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
NRMud LakeGuysborough	NR	5.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
NRYankee LakeGuysborough	NR	3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRAuld LakeGuysborough	NR	4.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	5.9 ft	Not recorded
NRGoose Harbour LakeGuysborough	NR	6.4 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
NRHazel LakeGuysborough	NR	3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10.2 ft	Not recorded
NRIrving LakeGuysborough	NR	24.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
NRMeaghers LakeGuysborough	NR	9.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	55.8 ft	Not recorded
NRThree Mile LakeGuysborough	NR	11.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	45.9 ft	Not recorded
NRIce LakeGuysborough	NR	4.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
NRSouthwest LakeGuysborough	NR	12.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	45.9 ft	Not recorded
NRCavanaugh LakeGuysborough	NR	2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
NRDobson LakeGuysborough	NR	10.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRWalsh LakeGuysborough	NR	12.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
NRMacpherson LakeGuysborough	NR	16.7 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	95.1 ft	Not recorded
NRManasette LakeGuysborough	NR	4.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRSimpson LakeGuysborough	NR	5.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
NRIsland LakeGuysborough	NR	10.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
NRCross LakeGuysborough	NR	8.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
NRCharlie LakeGuysborough	NR	11.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
NRNarrow LakeGuysborough	NR	9.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
NRCaribou LakeGuysborough	NR	6.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
NREight Island LakeGuysborough	NR	12.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32.8 ft	Not recorded
NRSecond Rocky LakeGuysborough	NR	9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
NRRush LakeGuysborough	NR	8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded

NR = no A–F letter. The scale is scored against EPA reference conditions for a lake’s ecoregion, and those stop at the US border, so no amount of sampling produces a letter here. The measurements are published as the authority reports them, not a failing grade. How grading works.

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Source: Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change. See data sources.