Kent County Lake Quality
Michigan, 18 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Kent County's 18 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. The county average is C — the middle of the rubric, with one or two lakes pulling the average up or down depending on year.
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. Murray Lake East Basin; Grattan Township (B) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Kent County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Murray Lake East Basin; Grattan Township, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Kent County
All Lakes in Kent County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murray Lake East Basin; Grattan Township | B | 7.2 ft | - |
| 2 | Scram Lake East Basin; Oakfield Township | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 3 | Big Pine Island Lake North Central Basin | B | 10 ft | - |
| 4 | Big Crooked Lake South Basin; Grattan Township | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 5 | Emerald Lake | B | 12 ft | - |
| 6 | Big Crooked Lake | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Scram Lake | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Emerald Lake | B | 12.3 ft | - |
| 9 | Maston Lake Northeast Basin; Spencer Township | B | 14.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Murray Lake | C | 7 ft | - |
| 11 | Big Pine Island Lake | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Round Lake | C | 8 ft | - |
| 13 | Round Lake Central Basin; Grattan Township | C | 8 ft | - |
| 14 | Maston Lake | C | 9 ft | - |
| 15 | Nelson Lake | C | 7 ft | - |
| 16 | Meek Lake | C | 9 ft | - |
| 17 | High Lake Central Basin; Aloma Township | D | 6.3 ft | - |
| 18 | High Lake | D | 6.3 ft | - |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Kent 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 Kent County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.