Clear Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Jackson County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including Black crappie, Blackchin shiner, and Blacknose shiner. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Jackson County, Clear Lake ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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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 10 ft. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Clear Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Clear Lake in Jackson 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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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Clear Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.81 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1.8 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Clear Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 34 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 9 lakes in Jackson County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Clear Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Jackson County
Explore Clear Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Jackson County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 12 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 12 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 11 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 13 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.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Clear Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Chelsea WfpChelsea · 3.6 mi away · NPDES MIG640206Recent violation
- Mdc-Waterloo WwslGrass Lake · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MIG580001
- Mich Dept Of CorrectionsGrass Lake · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MIG960019
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-12
Monitoring stations: 1