Bass Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Leelanau County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 13 documented fish species including Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, and Bowfin. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Leelanau County, Bass Lake ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Bass Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 11.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 11.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.2 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | 11.7 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Bass Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bass Lake in Leelanau County, Michigan — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Bass Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Bass Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Bass Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Bass Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.164 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +3.62 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
Bass Lake averages about 72°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 74°F) and coldest in Jun (about 69°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 550 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Bass Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 21 lakes in Leelanau County
Nearby Lakes in Leelanau County
Explore Bass Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Leelanau County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Grand Traverse Region area
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
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: 2024-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1