Charlevoix County Lake Quality
Michigan, 19 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Charlevoix County's 19 graded lakes fall in the moderate-density bracket for Michigan. The county-level average smooths over real differences — a single agricultural watershed near the southwest corner can pull the average down even if the rest of the county runs clean. The county-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
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 Geneserath Lake (A); the most-stressed is Greenes Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Charlevoix County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Geneserath Lake — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Charlevoix County
All Lakes in Charlevoix County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geneserath Lake | A | 16.5 ft | - |
| 2 | Lake Geneserath | A | 16.5 ft | - |
| 3 | Thumb Lake | A | 17 ft | - |
| 4 | Lake Charlevoix | A | 17.8 ft | - |
| 5 | Little Traverse Bay Lake | A | - | 4.8 µg/L |
| 6 | Susan Lake | A | - | 10.9 µg/L |
| 7 | Lake Charlevoix | A | - | - |
| 8 | Barneys Lake | B | 10 ft | - |
| 9 | Barneys Lake | B | 10 ft | - |
| 10 | Nowland Lake Central Basin; Evenline Township | B | 10 ft | - |
| 11 | Walloon Lake | B | 13.3 ft | - |
| 12 | Deer Lake | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 13 | Nowland Lake | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 14 | Fox Lake | D | 5 ft | - |
| 15 | Fox Lake | D | 5 ft | - |
| 16 | Font Lake | D | 5 ft | - |
| 17 | Greenes Lake | F | 2 ft | - |
| 18 | Greenes Lake | F | 2 ft | - |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Charlevoix County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 15 states.
Where to stay near Charlevoix County
Top-rated places to stay near Charlevoix 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 Charlevoix County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Charlevoix County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.