Big Bateau Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Gogebic County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 39 other monitored lakes in Gogebic County, Big Bateau Lake ranks #15 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Big Bateau Lake
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Top-rated places to stay near Big Bateau Lake
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Fishing Big Bateau Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.875 m/yr | 2 |
Water Temperature
Big Bateau Lake averages about 70°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 77°F) and coldest in Jun (about 63°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 8 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Big Bateau Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Big Bateau Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 37 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #15 of 40 lakes in Gogebic County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Big Bateau Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Iron County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 11 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 13.5 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 11 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 11 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 13 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: 2023-09-07
Monitoring stations: 1