Devils Head Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Gogebic County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 39 other monitored lakes in Gogebic County, Devils Head Lake ranks #26 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-06. 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 7.9 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Devils Head Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Devils Head Lake in Gogebic 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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Fishing Devils Head Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -1.1 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Devils Head Lake averages about 68°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 75°F) and coldest in Jun (about 61°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 8 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Devils Head Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Devils Head Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 47 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #26 of 40 lakes in Gogebic County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Devils Head Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Gogebic County
Explore Devils Head Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Ontonagon County · Clarity: 6.5 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 9.3 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 8.5 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 6 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 7.3 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 7.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Devils Head 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 MI040201020201-04 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.01 km)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2023-09-06
Monitoring stations: 1