
Big Turkey Lake vs Lake George
Water quality, depth, fish species, and recreation comparison.
Lake George reads lower on nutrients and algae than Big Turkey Lake. Both are in Steuben County, Indiana.
Big Turkey Lake and Lake George are both in Indiana — a same-state head-to-head where the comparison comes down to lake-specific differences in depth, watershed, and monitoring history rather than the broader state-level water-quality regime. Lake George reads materially cleaner than Big Turkey Lake on nutrients and algae. A gap that wide is unlikely to close in a single year of remediation work; it reflects multi-decade differences in the lakes themselves.
For a recreational visitor, the wider gap in the readings is decisive: Lake George has the lower nutrient and algae numbers. For a researcher, the gap is the interesting part: what is different about the two watersheds, and which of those differences is mutable?
Big Turkey Lake
No clarity data.
Lake George
Good clarity, visible to about 14.5 ft.
Side-by-Side Metrics
| Metric | Big Turkey Lake | Lake George |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | No data | 14.5 ft |
| Phosphorus | 51 µg/L | 22 µg/L Better |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 19 µg/L | 2 µg/L Better |
| Maximum Depth | - | - |
| Surface Area | 470 acres | 538 acres |
| Public Access | Unknown | Yes |
| Fish Species | 0 | 0 |
| Trophic State | eutrophic | oligotrophic |
A green ✓ marks the better value for that metric (lower phosphorus / chlorophyll = cleaner; higher Secchi / depth / species count = better). Surface area and trophic state carry no tick — a bigger lake is not a better lake.
Swap a lake
Compare Big Turkey Lake or Lake George against a different lake.
Verdict
Lake George reads lower on nutrients and algae than Big Turkey Lake. For fishing diversity, Lake George also leads with 0 species.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Big Turkey Lake and Lake George
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Big Turkey Lake and Lake George. Both lakes are pinned on the map, so you can see which stays sit nearer the one you pick. Switch to Satellite to see how close each is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Big Turkey Lake and Lake George
Prices for Oct 23–25, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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 Big Turkey Lake and Lake George?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Big Turkey Lake and Lake George — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.