Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township
Lake County, WisconsinMesotrophic
Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township is a mesotrophic lake in Lake County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Lake herring. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Lake County, Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2023-09-19. 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 14 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 5.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 43.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.3 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 8 lakes in Lake County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Lake County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Lapeer County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 13 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft
Cass County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Genesee County · Clarity: 10 ft
Antrim County · Clarity: 12.1 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Big Bass Lake North Basin; Elk Township is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601010101-03 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.91 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-19
Monitoring stations: 1