Grand Traverse County Lake Quality
Michigan, 20 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)
There are 20 graded lakes in Grand Traverse County. The mix is varied enough that the county-level average tells you the broad strokes, not the choose-this-cabin specifics. On average, Grand Traverse County lakes grade an A. That puts it near the top of the Michigan county ranking.
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. Arbutus Lake (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Grand Traverse County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Arbutus Lake — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Grand Traverse County
All Lakes in Grand Traverse County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arbutus Lake | A | 17 ft | - |
| 2 | Mickey Lake | A | 15 ft | - |
| 3 | Island Lake | A | 15 ft | - |
| 4 | Arbutus Lake North Basin | A | 15.8 ft | - |
| 5 | Arbutus Lake South Central Basin | A | 19 ft | - |
| 6 | Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township | A | 23.8 ft | - |
| 7 | Long Lake | A | 24 ft | - |
| 8 | Arbutus Lake North Central Basin | A | 16.8 ft | - |
| 9 | Mickey Lake | A | 15 ft | - |
| 10 | Arbutus Lake Central Basin | A | 17.3 ft | - |
| 11 | Rennie Lake; Central Basin; East Bay Township | A | 13 ft | - |
| 12 | Spider Lake West Basin | A | 12 ft | - |
| 13 | Rennie Lake | B | 13 ft | - |
| 14 | Spider Lake | B | 12 ft | - |
| 15 | Arbutus Lake South Basin | B | 13.5 ft | - |
| 16 | Fife Lake | B | 13.5 ft | - |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Grand Traverse 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 Grand Traverse County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.