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

Clare County Lake Quality

Michigan, 47 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)

There are 47 monitored lakes in Clare County. The mix is varied enough that the county-level average tells you the broad strokes, not the choose-this-cabin specifics. 1 of those lake carry an A–F grade. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. The county's average grade is A — among the cleanest in Michigan. 1 lakes pull an A on their own, and almost none fall into the D or F brackets.

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 Lake George (A); the most-stressed is Lake George (A).

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Where to stay near Clare County

Top-rated places to stay near Clare County

Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

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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 Lake George, 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

47 lakes · 1 graded, 46 not rated1 graded lake · 46 not rated, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (46)

#	Lake	Grade	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	ALake GeorgeClare	A	9.5 ft	12 µg/L	3.8 µg/L	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	NRArnold LakeClare	NR	17 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	80 ft	✓ Public
	NRWindover LakeClare	NR	15.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	60 ft	✓ Public
	NRShingle LakeClare	NR	10.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	Not recorded
	NRLily LakeClare	NR	8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	✓ Public
	NRBudd LakeClare	NR	13.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
	NRElbow LakeClare	NR	11 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRRice PondClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	Not recorded
	NRLong LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	70 ft	✓ Public
	NRCranberry LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
	NRBoathouse LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	NRLittle Long LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	60 ft	✓ Public
	NRSutherland LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	✓ Public
	NRSpringwood Lakes (westClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	31 ft	Not recorded
	NRBig Norway LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29 ft	Not recorded
	NRDoc And Tom LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	NRSilver LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	52 ft	Not recorded
	NRBig Mud LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	4 ft	Not recorded
	NRHalf Moon LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	Not recorded
	NRLoon LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	Not recorded
	NRRound LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	Not recorded
	NRClear LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39 ft	Not recorded
	NRBig Cranberry LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	Not recorded
	NRBear LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	38 ft	Not recorded
	NRThree LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	Not recorded
	NRFive LakesClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	60 ft	✓ Public
	NRBass LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	34 ft	Not recorded
	NRLake ThirteenClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	31 ft	Not recorded
	NREight Point LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	NRShamrock LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	Not recorded
	NRGray LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	34 ft	Not recorded
	NRShively LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBailey LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBeebe LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRNestor LakesClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRIcehouse LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBoathouse LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRHalfmoon LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRFloodwood Swamp ReservoirClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBertha LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLost LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRMystic LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRPerch LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRBoyles CreekClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBluff LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRSurrey LakeClare	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRFive LakesClare	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.

Lake Match

Which lake suits how you actually use one?

Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of graded lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.

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Other Counties in Michigan

Dickinson County

43 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

Alcona County

26 lakes · Avg grade A

See how Clare 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.