Deer Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Charlevoix County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 14 documented fish species including Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, and Common shiner. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 18 other monitored lakes in Charlevoix County, Deer Lake ranks #12 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-06. 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 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
Where to stay near Deer Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Deer Lake
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Deer Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 20 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #12 of 19 lakes in Charlevoix County
Nearby Lakes in Charlevoix County
Explore Deer Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Charlevoix County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Otsego County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Antrim County · Clarity: 12.1 ft
Cheboygan County · Clarity: 12 ft
Antrim County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Deer Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601050204-02 · Official waterbody report
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 Deer Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Boyne City WwtpBoyne City · 3.2 mi away · NPDES MI0021474Recent violation
- Stafford'S Water Street CoBoyne City · 3.5 mi away · NPDES MIG250399
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2022-09-06
Monitoring stations: 1