Livingston County Lake Quality
Michigan, 20 lakes, average grade B (Good)
There are 20 graded lakes in Livingston County. The mix is varied enough that the county-level average tells you the broad strokes, not the choose-this-cabin specifics. With an average grade of B, Livingston County sits comfortably above the Michigan median.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Cordley Lake Central Basin; Hamburg Township (A); the most-stressed is Earl Lake (D).
Quick Answers for Livingston County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Cordley Lake Central Basin; Hamburg Township, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Livingston County
All Lakes in Livingston County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cordley Lake Central Basin; Hamburg Township | A | - | - |
| 2 | Ore Lake West Basin; Hamburg Township | A | 10 ft | - |
| 3 | Portage Lake | B | 13 ft | - |
| 4 | Clark Lake Central Basin; Brighton Township | B | 12 ft | - |
| 5 | Clark Lake | B | 12 ft | - |
| 6 | Whitewood Lake | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 7 | Oneida Lake East Central Basin | B | 8.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Base Line Lake Northeast Basin; Hamburg Township | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Whitewood Lakes | B | 10.5 ft | - |
| 10 | Bass Lake | B | 9.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Whitmore Lake | C | 9 ft | - |
| 12 | Tamarack Lake | C | 8 ft | - |
| 13 | Tamarack Lake North Basin; Hamburg Township | C | 7 ft | - |
| 14 | Oneida Lake | C | 8 ft | - |
| 15 | Bass Lake | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 16 | Triangle Lake | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 17 | Bennett Lake; Deep Basin; Deerfield Township | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 18 | Earl Lake Central Basin | C | 5.5 ft | - |
| 19 | Earl Lake | D | 5.5 ft | - |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Livingston 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 Livingston County
Top-rated places to stay near Livingston County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.