Grand Traverse County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 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. East Arm Grand Traverse Bay 2 Mi From South Shore Lake (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Grand Traverse County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for East Arm Grand Traverse Bay 2 Mi From South Shore Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Grand Traverse County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Arm Grand Traverse Bay 2 Mi From South Shore Lake | A | 36.6 ft | - | - |
| 2 | West Arm Grand Traverse Bay 3 Mi Southeast Stony Point Lake | A | 41.4 ft | - | - |
| 3 | East Arm Grand Traverse Bay 2.5 Mi From North End Lake | A | 37.3 ft | - | - |
| 4 | Arbutus Lake | A | 17 ft | - | - |
| 5 | Mickey Lake | A | 15 ft | - | - |
| 6 | Island Lake | A | 15 ft | - | - |
| 7 | Arbutus Lake North Basin | A | 15.8 ft | - | - |
| 8 | Arbutus Lake South Central Basin | A | 19 ft | - | - |
| 9 | Island Lake East Basin; Whitewater Township Section 31 | A | 16 ft | - | - |
| 10 | Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township | A | 23.8 ft | - | - |
| 11 | Long Lake | A | 24 ft | - | - |
| 12 | Arbutus Lake North Central Basin | A | 16.8 ft | - | - |
| 13 | Mickey Lake | A | 15 ft | - | - |
| 14 | Arbutus Lake Central Basin | A | 17.3 ft | - | - |
| 15 | Rennie Lake; Central Basin; East Bay Township | A | 13 ft | - | - |
| 16 | Spider Lake West Basin | A | 12 ft | - | - |
| 17 | Rennie Lake | B | 13 ft | - | - |
| 18 | Spider Lake | B | 12 ft | - | - |
| 19 | Arbutus Lake South Basin | B | 13.5 ft | - | - |
| 20 | Fife Lake | B | 13.5 ft | - | - |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.