Otsego County Lake Quality
Michigan, 13 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)
Only 13 lakes in Otsego County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. The county's average grade is A — among the cleanest in Michigan. 8 lakes pull an A on their own, and almost none fall into the D or F brackets.
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 Town Line Lake Northeast Basin; Chester Township (A); the most-stressed is Perch Lakes (B).
Quick Answers for Otsego County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Town Line Lake Northeast Basin; Chester Township — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Otsego County
All Lakes in Otsego County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Town Line Lake Northeast Basin; Chester Township | A | 16.5 ft | - |
| 2 | Town Line Lake | A | 16.5 ft | - |
| 3 | Opal Lake | A | 18.5 ft | - |
| 4 | O'Rourke Lake | A | 15.5 ft | - |
| 5 | O'Rourke Lake; Bagley Twp | A | 15 ft | - |
| 6 | Big Bear Lake | A | 15 ft | - |
| 7 | Douglas Lake | A | 16.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Perch Lake | A | 11.3 ft | - |
| 9 | Perch Lakes | B | 10.5 ft | - |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Otsego County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 17 states.
Where to stay near Otsego County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.