Chippewa County Lake Quality
Michigan, 18 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Chippewa County's 18 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. With an average grade of B, Chippewa 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 Whitefish Bay Deep Lake (A); the most-stressed is Community College Pond (D).
Quick Answers for Chippewa County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Whitefish Bay Deep Lake — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Chippewa County
All Lakes in Chippewa County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish Bay Deep Lake | A | 34.4 ft | 16 µg/L |
| 2 | Mcnearney Lake | A | 18.5 ft | - |
| 3 | Monocle Lake | A | 16 ft | - |
| 4 | Saint Mary'S River Offshore Lake | A | - | 17.5 µg/L |
| 5 | Saint Mary'S River Shore Lake | A | - | 22.5 µg/L |
| 6 | Back Bay Deep Lake | B | 8.2 ft | 15 µg/L |
| 7 | Whitefish Bay Shore Lake | B | - | 39.5 µg/L |
| 8 | Sugar Island Lake | B | 8.2 ft | 21.5 µg/L |
| 9 | Spectacle Lake | B | - | 21.9 µg/L |
| 10 | Back Bay Lake | C | 4.9 ft | 20.9 µg/L |
| 11 | Back Bay Waiskey River Lake | C | 2.9 ft | 25 µg/L |
| 12 | North Pond | C | - | 25 µg/L |
| 13 | South Pond | D | 1.3 ft | 27.5 µg/L |
| 14 | Community College Pond | D | 1.5 ft | 35 µg/L |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Chippewa 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 Chippewa County
Top-rated places to stay near Chippewa 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 Chippewa County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Chippewa County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.