Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Alpena County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 15 documented fish species including Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, and Brown bullhead. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Alpena County, Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township 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
Crystal clear, you can see 16 ft down. Chlorophyll-a: 1.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 36.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 16 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.7 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 36 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township in Alpena 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 Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township
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 Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township — 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 Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township
- → Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +4.775 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.8 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township averages about 57°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 58°F) and coldest in Mar (about 41°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 108 field readings (2010–2012) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 4 lakes in Alpena County
Nearby Lakes in Alpena County
Explore Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Alpena County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Alcona County · Clarity: 17 ft
Alcona County · Clarity: 24.5 ft
Alcona County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Montmorency County · Clarity: 27 ft
Iosco County · Clarity: 12 ft
Montmorency County · Clarity: 10 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Beaver Lake Central Basin; Ossineke Township is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040700060101-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.17 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: 2023-09-01
Monitoring stations: 1