Benzie County Lake Quality

Michigan, 23 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)

There are 23 graded lakes in Benzie County. The mix is varied enough that the county-level average tells you the broad strokes, not the choose-this-cabin specifics. On average, Benzie County lakes grade an A. That puts it near the top of the Michigan county ranking.

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. Big Platte Lake Northwest Basin; Benzonia Township (A) is the cleanest in the county.

Loading map…

Where to stay near Benzie County

Top-rated places to stay near Benzie County

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Planning a trip to Benzie County?

Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Benzie County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Quick Answers for Benzie County

Cleanest lakes in Benzie County →Cleanest lakes in Michigan →Safest swimming lakes in Michigan →

Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Big Platte Lake Northwest Basin; Benzonia Township — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.

Fishing in Benzie County

Benzie County Fishing Guide

Fish species and best-graded lakes in Benzie County

All Lakes in Benzie County

23 lakes · 10 graded, 13 not rated10 graded lakes · 13 not rated, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (13)

#	Lake	Grade	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	ABig Platte Lake Northwest Basin; Benzonia TownshipBenzie	A	14 ft	6 µg/L	1.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
2	ARound LakeBenzie	A	15 ft	6 µg/L	1.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
3	AOtter LakeBenzie	A	12 ft	11 µg/L	1.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
4	ALittle Platte Lake North BasinBenzie	A	6.5 ft	12 µg/L	2.8 µg/L	No recent samples	8 ft	✓ Public
5	ALake View; Almira TwpBenzie	A	18 ft	9 µg/L	2.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
6	AUpper Woodcock Lake; Almira TwpBenzie	A	11 ft	7 µg/L	1.7 µg/L	No recent samples	45 ft	Not recorded
7	ALower Woodcock Lake; Almira TwpBenzie	A	12.3 ft	10 µg/L	5.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
8	ALoon Lake; Lake TwpBenzie	A	12 ft	8 µg/L	2.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
9	ALime LakeBenzie	A	17.5 ft	5 µg/L	1.3 µg/L	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
10	ARansom LakeBenzie	A	15 ft	10 µg/L	2.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRSanford LakeBenzie	NR	17 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLower Herring LakeBenzie	NR	13 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	50 ft	✓ Public
	NRLake AnnBenzie	NR	14.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	75 ft	✓ Public
	NRPlatte LakeBenzie	NR	14 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	90 ft	Not recorded
	NRUpper Herring LakeBenzie	NR	8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	✓ Public
	NRCrystal LakeBenzie	NR	32 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	175 ft	✓ Public
	NRLong LakeBenzie	NR	9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBetsie LakeBenzie	NR	8.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRTurtle LakeBenzie	NR	11.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
	NRHerendeene LakeBenzie	NR	14 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	✓ Public
	NRPearl LakeBenzie	NR	13 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRLower Woodcock LakeBenzie	NR	12.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRUpper Woodcock LakeBenzie	NR	11 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	45 ft	Not recorded

NR = not rated: there is not enough recent sampling to support a letter. That is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 (insufficient information), not a failing grade. How grading works.

Lake Match