Clare County Lake Quality

Michigan, 12 lakes, average grade B (Good)

Only 12 lakes in Clare County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. The county-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.

Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township (A) is the cleanest in the county.

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Quick Answers for Clare County

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

Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.

Fishing in Clare County

Clare County Fishing Guide

Fish species and best-graded lakes in Clare County

All Lakes in Clare County

Rank	Lake	Grade	Clarity	Phosphorus
1	Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township	A	15 ft	-
2	Windover Lake	A	15 ft	-
3	Arnold Lake	A	17.5 ft	-
4	Lake George	B	11.5 ft	-
5	Lily Lake North Central Basin; Greenwood Township	B	7.5 ft	-
6	Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township	B	14 ft	-
7	Budd Lake	B	13.5 ft	-
8	Elbow Lake	B	11 ft	-
9	Lake George; Central Deep Basin; Lincoln Township	B	-	-
10	Shingle Lake South Basin; Lincoln Township	B	-	-
11	Lily Lake	C	8 ft	-