Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Clare County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Bluegill, and Bluntnose minnow. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Clare County, Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township water quality
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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 14 ft. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township
- → Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +5.74 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 12 lakes in Clare County
Nearby Lakes in Clare County
Explore Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Clare County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Oligotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Budd Lake South Basinorth; Hayes Township 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 MI040802010306-04 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.09 km)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2023-09-12
Monitoring stations: 1