Crystal Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Montcalm County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including Black crappie, Bluegill, and Burbot. Public access is available with 4 public boat landings. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Montcalm County, Crystal Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-06-24. 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 Crystal Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Crystal Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.81 m/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.25 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Crystal Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 70 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 9 lakes in Montcalm County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Crystal Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Montcalm County
Explore Crystal Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Montcalm 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 B Lakes in Michigan
Isabella County · Clarity: 10 ft
Kent County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Kent County · Clarity: 10 ft
Kent County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Kent County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Kent County · Clarity: 7.2 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
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Crystal Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Montcalm Cdc-Crystal Lk WwtpCrystal · 1.9 mi away · NPDES MI0057088Recent violation
- Blackricks ServiceCrystal · 0.9 mi away · NPDES MIG081058
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-06-24
Monitoring stations: 1