Bear Lake Southeast Basin is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Kalkaska County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 9 documented fish species including Bluntnose minnow, Central mudminnow, and Iowa darter. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 23 other monitored lakes in Kalkaska County, Bear Lake Southeast Basin ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Bear Lake Southeast Basin water quality
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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 36.5 ft down. Chlorophyll-a: 2.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 32.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 36.5 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.4 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 32 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Bear Lake Southeast Basin
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Bear Lake Southeast Basin
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 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Bear Lake Southeast Basin averages about 62°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 66°F) and coldest in May (about 53°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 760 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Bear Lake Southeast Basin water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 24 lakes in Kalkaska County
Nearby Lakes in Kalkaska County
Explore Bear Lake Southeast Basin across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Kalkaska County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-09-16
Monitoring stations: 1