Avery Lake
Montmorency County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic
Avery Lake is a 322-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Montmorency County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 9 documented fish species including Bluntnose minnow, Creek chub, and Hornyhead chub. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Montmorency County, Avery Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-08-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 27 ft down. Trophic State Index: 30.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 27 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 30 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 322 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Avery Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Avery Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Avery Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 6 lakes in Montmorency County
Nearby Lakes in Montmorency County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 13.5 ft
Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Avery Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Avery Lake Dam (completed 1970), built primarily for recreation on the Crooked Creek; earth-type dam, 15 ft tall and 200 ft long.
- Surface area
- 322 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,140 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 2,420 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 11.4 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Montmorency Co. Drain Commissioner
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00056 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Avery Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040700060304-02 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-08-13
Monitoring stations: 1