Betsie River Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Benzie County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Betsie River Lake ranks #34 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Betsie River Lake
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Fishing Betsie River Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Betsie River Lake averages about 55°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Sep (about 66°F) and coldest in Aug (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 96 field readings (2019–2019) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Betsie River Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #34 of 35 lakes in Benzie County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Betsie River Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Benzie County
Explore Betsie River Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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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.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Betsie River Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Betsie Lake Ua WwtpFrankfort · 1.1 mi away · NPDES MI0046337Recent violation
- Shell Mini MartFrankfort · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MIG080905
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2023-09-15
Monitoring stations: 1