Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township is a mesotrophic lake in Lake County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 18 documented fish species including Black crappie, Bluegill, and Bluntnose minnow. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Lake County, Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township water quality
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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. Chlorophyll-a: 5.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.6 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township
- → Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.17 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -2.2 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township averages about 75°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 76°F) and coldest in May (about 63°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 145 field readings (2014–2017) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 8 lakes in Lake County
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
Explore Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Lake County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1