Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township is a mesotrophic lake in Marquette County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Bluegill, and Bluntnose minnow. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Marquette County, Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-07-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township water quality
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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 12.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township
- → Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +6.29 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 10 lakes in Marquette County
Nearby Lakes in Marquette County
Explore Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Marquette County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Dickinson County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Bass Lake North Basin; Forsyth Township is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040301100302-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.02 km)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-07-07
Monitoring stations: 1