Barneys Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Charlevoix County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 9 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Bluegill, and Brown bullhead. Compared to the 18 other monitored lakes in Charlevoix County, Barneys Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Barneys Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Barneys Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -1.33 m/yr | 2 |
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Barneys Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 12 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 19 lakes in Charlevoix County
Nearby Lakes in Charlevoix County
Explore Barneys Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Charlevoix County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Antrim County · Clarity: 12.1 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 13 ft
Antrim County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Cheboygan County · Clarity: 12 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-07
Monitoring stations: 1