Chain Lakes is a mesotrophic lake in Iosco County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Iosco County, Chain Lakes ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Chain Lakes 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 12 ft. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Chain Lakes
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Chain Lakes in Iosco County, Michigan — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Fishing Chain Lakes
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.26 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.6 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Chain Lakes, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 18 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 8 lakes in Iosco County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Chain Lakes holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Iosco County
Explore Chain Lakes across LakeGrade
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Ogemaw County · Clarity: 10 ft
Oscoda County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Alcona County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Montmorency County · Clarity: 13 ft
Crawford County · Clarity: 6.5 ft
Gladwin County · Clarity: 10 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
Most recent sample: 2022-09-16
Monitoring stations: 1