Crystal Lake is a 125-acre mesotrophic lake in Hillsdale County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including Black crappie, Bluegill, and Burbot. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Hillsdale County, Crystal Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-06-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 125 acres |
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Crystal Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.71 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.4 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 7 lakes in Hillsdale County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Crystal Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Hillsdale County
Explore Crystal Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Hillsdale County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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 C Lakes in Michigan
Jackson County · Clarity: 8 ft
Jackson County · Clarity: 7.5 ft
Lenawee County · Clarity: 5 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 9 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 5.8 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Crystal Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Crystal Lake Dam (completed 1976), built primarily for recreation on the Trib to Grand River; earth-type dam, 10 ft tall and 100 ft long.
- Surface area
- 125 ac
- Normal storage
- 90 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 290 ac-ft
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Hillsdale County Drain Commissioner
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00956 · Operator website
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: 2023-06-20
Monitoring stations: 1