What is the water quality grade for Bear Lake?

Bear Lake in Manistee County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 11 ft visibility.

Is Bear Lake safe to swim in?

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Bear Lake has an overall water quality grade of B. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Bear Lake

Manistee County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic

Bear Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Manistee County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 14 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Blackstripe topminnow, and Bluntnose minnow. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Manistee County, Bear Lake ranks #8 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels

Water Quality Grade: B, Good

Good clarity, visible to about 11 ft. Trophic State Index: 43.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	11 ft	B
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	43	Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Fish Species

Blacknose shiner Blackstripe topminnow Bluntnose minnow Golden shiner Grass pickerel Iowa darter Lake herring Largemouth bass Least darter Mimic shiner Rock bass Smallmouth bass White sucker Yellow perch

Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.

→ Best fishing times for Bear Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Bear Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

→ Bear Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #8 of 12 lakes in Manistee County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Bear Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Manistee County

Tippy Pond Manistee Arm

Manistee County

Manistee Lake South

Manistee County

Bear Lake Central Basin North; Pleasanton Township

Manistee County

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin

Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13

Lapeer County · Clarity: 9.5 ft

Portage Lake

Livingston County · Clarity: 13 ft

Bass Lake

Lake County · Clarity: 14 ft

Long Lake

Cass County · Clarity: 10.5 ft

Byram Lake West Central Basin; Fenton Township

Genesee County · Clarity: 10 ft

Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township

Lake County · Clarity: 8 ft

Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13 Portage Lake Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township Chippewa Lake Northeast Basin; Chippewa Township

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2022-09-11

Monitoring stations: 1