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

Iron County Lake Quality

Michigan, 126 lakes, average grade B (Good)

Iron County in Michigan carries 126 monitored lakes — one of the lake-richer counties in our dataset. Coverage that dense usually reflects active lake-association sampling alongside state-agency monitoring. 14 of those lakes carry an A–F grade. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. With an average grade of B, Iron County sits comfortably above the Michigan median.

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. Iron Lake (A) is the cleanest in the county.

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Where to stay near Iron County

Top-rated places to stay near Iron County

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

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Quick Answers for Iron County

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

Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Iron Lake — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.

Fishing in Iron County

Iron County Fishing Guide

Fish species and best-graded lakes in Iron County

All Lakes in Iron County

126 lakes · 14 graded, 112 not rated14 graded lakes · 112 not rated, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (112)

#	Lake	Grade	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	AIron LakeIron	A	9 ft	9 µg/L	2.6 µg/L	No recent samples	45 ft	Not recorded
2	AEllen LakeIron	A	17.3 ft	8 µg/L	1.8 µg/L	No recent samples	73 ft	Not recorded
3	APerch LakeIron	A	6 ft	24 µg/L	4.8 µg/L	No recent samples	14 ft	Not recorded
4	ABig Maggie LakeIron	A	11.5 ft	10 µg/L	1.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
5	ALittle Maggie LakeIron	A	12.3 ft	16 µg/L	3.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
6	ASunset LakeIron	A	13.5 ft	8.5 µg/L	1.9 µg/L	No recent samples	54 ft	Not recorded
7	BGolden LakeIron	B	23 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	100 ft	✓ Public
8	BSmoky LakeIron	B	24 ft	7.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
9	BOttawa LakeIron	B	19.3 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
10	BChicagon LakeIron	B	20 ft	9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	110 ft	Not recorded
11	BHagerman LakeIron	B	21 ft	8.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	50 ft	✓ Public
12	BWinslow LakeIron	B	5.5 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	✓ Public
13	BSecond Fortune LakeIron	B	21 ft	7.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	80 ft	Not recorded
14	CWest Maggie LakeIron	C	7 ft	15 µg/L	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRStanley LakeIron	NR	9.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39 ft	✓ Public
	NRLake EllenIron	NR	17.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	73 ft	✓ Public
	NRMaggie LakesIron	NR	9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLake MaryIron	NR	19 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	48 ft	✓ Public
	NRStager LakeIron	NR	13 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	55 ft	✓ Public
	NRSwan LakeIron	NR	9.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
	NRFirst LakeIron	NR	21 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRHannah Webb LakeIron	NR	20.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRCamp LakeIron	NR	15 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	56 ft	✓ Public
	NRLake OttawaIron	NR	19.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRBlue LakeIron	NR	21.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRCable LakeIron	NR	7.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
	NRBuck LakeIron	NR	11 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	Not recorded
	NRBrule LakeIron	NR	5 ft	22 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
	NRIndian LakeIron	NR	17 ft	10 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	✓ Public
	NRPorter LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	✓ Public
	NRRobinson LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	17 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
	NRNorway LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
	NRShank LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	NRLong LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	NRMarten LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	Not recorded
	NRLake Sainte KathrynIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	✓ Public
	NRTepee LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	✓ Public
	NRSpring LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	Not recorded
	NRBone LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	34 ft	Not recorded
	NRBela LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	Not recorded
	NRPaint LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	Not recorded
	NRWebb LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	✓ Public
	NREast Paint LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	NRLake MitigwakiIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	Not recorded
	NRCurry LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29 ft	Not recorded
	NRLower Holmes LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	NRDeer LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	✓ Public
	NRMallard LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	Not recorded
	NRCrescent PondIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	NRLiver LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	18 ft	Not recorded
	NRLight LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	Not recorded
	NRJames LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	NRGilbert LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	43 ft	Not recorded
	NRMichigamme ReservoirIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	38 ft	Not recorded
	NRMoccasin LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRGibson LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	NRFire LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
	NRUpper Holmes LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	Not recorded
	NRSilver LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	58 ft	Not recorded
	NRTimber LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	Not recorded
	NRHoman LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	41 ft	Not recorded
	NRLake FifteenIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	NRLake SixteenIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	Not recorded
	NRLong LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	100 ft	✓ Public
	NRBates LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	NRHope LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	Not recorded
	NRLake EmilyIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
	NRRunkle LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	NRIce LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	NRWildwood LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	38 ft	Not recorded
	NRFirst Fortune LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLittle Smoky LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	Not recorded
	NRBennan LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29 ft	Not recorded
	NRWagner LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	Not recorded
	NRRailroad LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	Not recorded
	NRThird Fortune LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	70 ft	Not recorded
	NRBrule LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	Not recorded
	NRBull Dam (Little)Iron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRSnipe LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	34 ft	Not recorded
	NRBass LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
	NRIndian LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	✓ Public
	NRKennedy LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	Not recorded
	NRMinnie LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	Not recorded
	NRPeavy PondIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	64 ft	Not recorded
	NRScott LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	50 ft	Not recorded
	NRArmstrong LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	43 ft	Not recorded
	NRMaggie Lakes (east)Iron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	41 ft	Not recorded
	NRMichigamme LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
	NRPaint River PondIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLost LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	NRMoose LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRChara LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRNelson LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLake NineIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRFire LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRChamberlain LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRBuddle LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRPapoose LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRGlitter LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLake Sainte KathrynIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRNesbit LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRPetrow LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRWolf LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRDunn LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLewis LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRUpper Holmes LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLower Holmes LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRHarding LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRMcPherson LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRHouser LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRChief Edwards LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLittle Pickerel LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRHemlock LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLittle Sundog LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLower Holmes LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRLost LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRMud LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRAnderson LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRButler LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRCrotch LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRMitchell LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRHolmes LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRErickson LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRGlidden LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	NRLittle Tobin LakeIron	NR	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	NRIsaacson LakeIron	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.

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Other Counties in Michigan

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43 lakes · Avg grade A

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See how Iron 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.