What is the water quality grade for Chippewa Lake?

Chippewa Lake in Mecosta County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 11.5 ft visibility.

Is Chippewa Lake safe to swim in?

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Chippewa Lake has an overall water quality grade of B. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

What fish are in Chippewa Lake?

Fish species found in Chippewa Lake include Black crappie, Blackchin shiner, Blacknose shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, Brown bullhead, Golden shiner, Grass pickerel, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, Largemouth bass, Longnose gar, Northern logperch, Northern longear sunfish, Pugnose shiner, Pumpkinseed, Rock bass, Smallmouth bass, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Yellow perch. Chippewa Lake is located in Mecosta County, Wisconsin.

Chippewa Lake

Mecosta County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic

Chippewa Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Mecosta County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 21 documented fish species including Black crappie, Blackchin shiner, and Blacknose shiner. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Mecosta County, Chippewa Lake ranks #4 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels

Water Quality Grade: B, Good

Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 42.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	11.5 ft	B
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	42	Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Fish Species

Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.

→ Best fishing times for Chippewa Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Chippewa Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

→ Chippewa Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #4 of 12 lakes in Mecosta County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Chippewa Lake holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Mecosta County

Chippewa Lake Northeast Basin; Chippewa Township

Mecosta County

Horsehead Lake Northwest Basin; Martiny Township

Mecosta County

Blue Lake North Central Basin

Mecosta County

Mecosta Lake North Basin; Morton Township

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin

Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13

Lapeer County · Clarity: 9.5 ft

Portage Lake

Livingston County · Clarity: 13 ft

Bear Lake East Basin; Pleasanton Township

Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft

Bass Lake

Lake County · Clarity: 14 ft

Long Lake

Cass County · Clarity: 10.5 ft

Byram Lake West Central Basin; Fenton Township

Genesee County · Clarity: 10 ft

Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13 Portage Lake Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township Bear Lake East Basin; Pleasanton Township

EPA Impairment Status

Chippewa Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).

Causes of impairment

Mercury

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040802020104-03 · Official waterbody report

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2022-09-03

Monitoring stations: 1