Beaver Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Keweenaw County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including Bluntnose minnow, Brook stickleback, and Brook trout. Compared to the 18 other monitored lakes in Keweenaw County, Beaver Lake ranks #11 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-08-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Phosphorus level: 17.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 17.1 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Beaver Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Beaver Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.011 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +3.42 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Water Temperature
Beaver Lake averages about 68°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 70°F) and coldest in May (about 49°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 512 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Beaver Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #11 of 19 lakes in Keweenaw County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Beaver Lake holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ALake HarveyKeweenaw County · 2.7 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ASargent LakeKeweenaw County · 4.5 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ASiskiwit LakeKeweenaw County · 5.5 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
Nearby Lakes in Keweenaw County
Explore Beaver Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Keweenaw County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Gogebic County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 10.3 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 12 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Marquette County · Clarity: 12 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
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
Most recent sample: 2024-08-20
Monitoring stations: 1