Kalkaska County Lake Quality
Michigan, 24 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)
Kalkaska County's 24 graded lakes fall in the moderate-density bracket for Michigan. The county-level average smooths over real differences — a single agricultural watershed near the southwest corner can pull the average down even if the rest of the county runs clean. On average, Kalkaska 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. Squaw Lake (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Kalkaska County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Squaw Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Kalkaska County
All Lakes in Kalkaska County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squaw Lake | A | 16 ft | - |
| 2 | Twin Lake | A | 23 ft | - |
| 3 | Little Twin Lake | A | 20 ft | - |
| 4 | Indian Lake | A | 16.5 ft | - |
| 5 | Eagle Lake | A | 17 ft | - |
| 6 | Big Twin Lake Southeast Basin; Blue Lake Township | A | 23 ft | - |
| 7 | Cub Lake Central Basin | A | 19 ft | - |
| 8 | Pickerel Lake | A | 15 ft | - |
| 9 | Bear Lake Southeast Basin | A | 36.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Eagle Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township | A | 17 ft | - |
| 11 | Indian Lake Northeast Basin; Blue Lake Township | A | 15.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Cub Lake | A | 19.5 ft | - |
| 13 | Bear Lake | A | 33 ft | - |
| 14 | Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township | A | 21 ft | - |
| 15 | Papoose Lake | A | 20 ft | - |
| 16 | Starvation Lake North Basin; Blue Lake Township | A | 22.3 ft | - |
| 17 | Bass Lake Northeast Basin | A | 18.5 ft | - |
| 18 | Big Blue Lake North Basin; Blue Lake Township | A | - | - |
| 19 | Squaw Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township | A | 16 ft | - |
| 20 | North Crooked Lake South Central Basin; Blue Lake Township | A | 13.5 ft | - |
| 21 | North Crooked Lake | B | 12.5 ft | - |
| 22 | North Crooked Lake North Central Basin; Blue Lake Township | B | 12.5 ft | - |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.