Cub Lake Central Basin is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Kalkaska County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 14 documented fish species including Black bullhead, Bluegill, and Bluntnose minnow. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 23 other monitored lakes in Kalkaska County, Cub Lake Central Basin ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-07-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Cub Lake Central Basin water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 19 ft down. Chlorophyll-a: 1.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 35.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 19 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.7 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 35 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Cub Lake Central Basin
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Cub Lake Central Basin
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +7.875 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.2 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Cub Lake Central Basin averages about 73°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 74°F) and coldest in Jun (about 72°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 35 field readings (2021–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Cub Lake Central Basin water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Cub Lake Central Basin, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 23 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 24 lakes in Kalkaska County
Nearby Lakes in Kalkaska County
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-07-12
Monitoring stations: 1