Big Star Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Lake County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 13 documented fish species including Black crappie, Bluegill, and Burbot. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Lake County, Big Star Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-09. 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 Big Star Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Big Star Lake
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
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 8 lakes in Lake County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Big Star Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
Explore Big Star Lake 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 C Lakes in Michigan
Manistee County · Clarity: 8 ft
Newaygo County · Clarity: 4.5 ft
Oceana County · Clarity: 7 ft
Muskegon County · Clarity: 8.5 ft
Mason County · Clarity: 6.5 ft
Oceana County · Clarity: 6.5 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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1