Carter Lake Northwest Basin is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Barry County, Michigan. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 11 documented fish species including Black crappie, Bluegill, and Brown bullhead. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 13 other monitored lakes in Barry County, Carter Lake Northwest Basin ranks #14 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-14. 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 4.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Carter Lake Northwest Basin
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Carter Lake Northwest Basin
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +4.41 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #14 of 14 lakes in Barry County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Carter Lake Northwest Basin holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Barry County
Explore Carter Lake Northwest Basin across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Barry County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Michigan
Kalamazoo County · Clarity: 4 ft
Kent County · Clarity: 6.3 ft
Kent County · Clarity: 6.3 ft
Branch County · Clarity: 3.5 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 4.5 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 5 ft
Eutrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Carter Lake Northwest Basin is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040500070404-03 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.89 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: 2023-09-14
Monitoring stations: 1