Big Sky Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Missoula County, Montana. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Compared to the 59 other monitored lakes in Missoula County, Big Sky Lake ranks #44 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Montana DNR, last sampled 2025-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 10.2 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 2.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 38.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 10.2 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.1 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 38 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Big Sky Lake
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Fishing Big Sky Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #44 of 60 lakes in Missoula County
Nearby Lakes in Missoula County
Explore Big Sky Lake across LakeGrade
More Montana Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Montana
Oligotrophic Lakes in Montana
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1