Bluff Lake is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Lake County, Illinois. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 6 public boat landings. Compared to the 15 other monitored lakes in Lake County, Bluff Lake ranks #16 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Illinois DNR, last sampled 2022-10-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 4 ft. Phosphorus level: 315.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 72.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 315.5 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 72 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Where to stay near Bluff Lake
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Fishing Bluff Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Bluff Lake averages about 74°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 79°F) and coldest in May (about 57°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 186 field readings (2012–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Bluff Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #16 of 16 lakes in Lake County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bluff Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BCatherine LakeLake County · 2.3 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CChannel LakeLake County · 2 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- DPetite LakeLake County · 1.5 mi · Higher overall water quality score
- DGrass LakeLake County · 1.9 mi · Higher overall water quality score
- DFox LakeLake County · 3.1 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
Explore Bluff Lake across LakeGrade
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Illinois's top lakes, each with its grade
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
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Other Grade D Lakes in Illinois
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More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Bluff Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IL_VTJ · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Bluff Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Laurel Peat MineAntioch · 2 mi away · NPDES IL0066036Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2022-10-25
Monitoring stations: 1