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

Alger County Lake Quality

Michigan, 96 lakes, average grade B (Good)

Alger County has 96 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. 7 of those lakes carry an A–F grade. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. With an average grade of B, Alger County sits comfortably above the Michigan median.

The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Tie Lake (A); the most-stressed is Legion Lake (B).

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Where to stay near Alger County

Top-rated places to stay near Alger County

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Quick Answers for Alger County

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

Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Tie Lake — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.

Fishing in Alger County

Alger County Fishing Guide

Fish species and best-graded lakes in Alger County

All Lakes in Alger County

96 lakes · 7 graded, 89 not rated7 graded lakes · 89 not rated, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (89)

#	Lake	Grade	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	ATie LakeAlger	A	13.5 ft	8 µg/L	4.9 µg/L	No recent samples	25 ft	✓ Public
2	BLegion LakeAlger	B	9.1 ft	17 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
3	BMiners LakeAlger	B	6.3 ft	15.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
4	BChapel LakeAlger	B	7.9 ft	18.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
5	BGrand Sable LakeAlger	B	8 ft	10.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	85 ft	✓ Public
6	BBeaver LakeAlger	B	14.5 ft	7.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	39 ft	Not recorded
7	BTrapper'S LakeAlger	B	7.7 ft	7.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRDeer LakeAlger	NR	6.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	70 ft	Not recorded
	NRLittle Beaver LakeAlger	NR	6.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	Not recorded
	NRLegion LakeAlger	NR	7.4 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
	NRKingston LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRWeber LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	Not recorded
	NRMcKay LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	Not recorded
	NRSullivan LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	Not recorded
	NRMitchell LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	NRNawakwa LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
	NRSand LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	NRNorth LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	NRGrass LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	NRPickerel LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	NRNevins LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	Not recorded
	NREcho LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	NRSand LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	NRNoble LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	Not recorded
	NRHowe LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	3 ft	Not recorded
	NRLaughing Whitefish LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	Not recorded
	NRAu Train LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
	NRPerch LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	Not recorded
	NRCleveland Cliffs BasinAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
	NRSixteenmile LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	Not recorded
	NROtter LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	18 ft	Not recorded
	NRPowell LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	Not recorded
	NRJoe LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	Not recorded
	NRLost LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	Not recorded
	NRHovey LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	Not recorded
	NRBunting LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	NRBig Twin LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	Not recorded
	NRReady LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	Not recorded
	NRWheelbarrow LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	18 ft	Not recorded
	NRCook LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	NRMoccasin LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	41 ft	Not recorded
	NRBar LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	Not recorded
	NRTrout LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	NRFish LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	✓ Public
	NRBaldy LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	NRLake StellaAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	42 ft	Not recorded
	NRSaul LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29 ft	Not recorded
	NRMcComb LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	31 ft	Not recorded
	NRDam LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	Not recorded
	NRSlowfoot LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	Not recorded
	NRWest Branch LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	NRStoner LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	Not recorded
	NRPreacher LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRTeal LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRMoccasin LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRNiemi LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRWeber LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRSitka LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRKennedy LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRNawakwa LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRGypsy LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRSecond LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRCasey LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRMoose LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NROwl LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRDeerfoot LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRDeadman LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBearfoot LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRCloverleaf LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLoon LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRWest Branch LakesAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRTriangle LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRHemlock LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLambert LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRIonia LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRNugent LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRUpper Shoe LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRWetmore LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRTown LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRThornton LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRIsland LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRGrimes LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRMuddy LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRMirror LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLittle Round LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRPaquette LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRDoe LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRHalfmoon LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRScout LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBlue LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBass LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRSaul LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRDavies LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRCleveland Cliffs BasinAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRLake SeventeenAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRDorsey LakeAlger	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	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.

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Other Counties in Michigan

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43 lakes · Avg grade A

Clare County

47 lakes · Avg grade A

Ogemaw County

50 lakes · Avg grade A

Cheboygan County

31 lakes · Avg grade A

Roscommon County

26 lakes · Avg grade A

Gladwin County

29 lakes · Avg grade A

See how Alger County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all United States (49 states), Canada (Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and 38 other country hubs..

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.