Lake County Lake Quality
Michigan, 8 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Lake County has 8 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
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. Little Bass Lake (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Lake County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Little Bass Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Lake County
All Lakes in Lake County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Bass Lake | A | 18.3 ft | - |
| 2 | Little Bass Lake | A | 19.5 ft | - |
| 3 | Bass Lake | B | 14 ft | - |
| 4 | Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township | B | 14 ft | - |
| 5 | Wolf Lake East Basin; Peacock Township | B | 11 ft | - |
| 6 | Wolf Lake | B | 11 ft | - |
| 7 | Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township | B | 8 ft | - |
| 8 | Big Star Lake | C | 8 ft | - |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Lake 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 Lake County
Top-rated places to stay near Lake County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.