Skip to main content
LakeQuality

Lake George reads lower on nutrients and algae than Big Turkey Lake. Both are in Steuben County, Indiana.

Reviewed by LakeQuality Editorial Team · Updated

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

Steuben County, Indiana

No clarity data.

Lake George

Steuben County, Indiana

Good clarity, visible to about 14.5 ft.

Side-by-Side Metrics

MetricBig Turkey LakeLake George
Water ClarityNo data14.5 ft
Phosphorus51 µg/L22 µg/L Better
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)19 µg/L2 µg/L Better
Maximum Depth--
Surface Area470 acres538 acres
Public AccessUnknownYes
Fish Species00
Trophic Stateeutrophicoligotrophic

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.