Fife Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Johnny darter and Smallmouth bass. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 19 other monitored lakes in Grand Traverse County, Fife Lake ranks #20 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-07-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Fife Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 13.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Fife Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Fife Lake in Grand Traverse 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Fife Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Fife Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Fife Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Fife Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -49.248 m/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Fife Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 55 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #20 of 20 lakes in Grand Traverse County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Fife Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Grand Traverse County
Explore Fife Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Grand Traverse County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Grand Traverse Region area
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Antrim County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Wexford County · Clarity: 9.3 ft
Antrim County · Clarity: 12.1 ft
Wexford County · Clarity: 10 ft
Wexford County · Clarity: 10 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Oligotrophic 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.
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: 2024-07-01
Monitoring stations: 1