Van Buren County Lake Quality
Michigan, 15 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Van Buren County's 15 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. With an average grade of B, Van Buren 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 Eagle Lake East Basin; Paw Paw Township (A); the most-stressed is Sassafras Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Van Buren County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Eagle Lake East Basin; Paw Paw Township, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official Michigan fishing regulations.
Fishing in Van Buren County
All Lakes in Van Buren County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Lake East Basin; Paw Paw Township | A | 17 ft | - |
| 2 | Eagle Lake | A | 15 ft | - |
| 3 | Cedar Lake Central Basin; Porter Township | A | 13 ft | - |
| 4 | Gravel Lake | B | 11.5 ft | - |
| 5 | Great Bear Lake | C | 7.8 ft | - |
| 6 | Fish Lake Central Basin; Almena Township | C | 8 ft | - |
| 7 | Silver Lake Central Basin; Columbia Township | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Silver Lake | C | 9.5 ft | - |
| 9 | Fish Lake | C | 8.3 ft | - |
| 10 | Great Bear Lake South Basin; Bloomingdale Township | C | 8 ft | - |
| 11 | Great Bear Lake North Basin; Bloomingdale Township | D | 6.5 ft | - |
| 12 | Sassafras Lake | F | - | 130 µg/L |
Other Counties in Michigan
See how Van Buren 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 Van Buren County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.