Bear Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Kalkaska County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Rock bass, Smallmouth bass, and White sucker. Compared to the 23 other monitored lakes in Kalkaska County, Bear Lake ranks #15 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-06-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 33 ft down. Trophic State Index: 27.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 33 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 27 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Bear Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bear Lake in Kalkaska 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.
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Bear Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +7.875 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.2 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Bear Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 50 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #15 of 24 lakes in Kalkaska County
Nearby Lakes in Kalkaska County
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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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: 2023-06-12
Monitoring stations: 1