Grand Sable Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Alger County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 12 other monitored lakes in Alger County, Grand Sable Lake ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-08-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Grand Sable 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
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 11.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 43.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 11.8 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Grand Sable Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Grand Sable Lake in Alger 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 Grand Sable 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 Grand Sable Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Grand Sable Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fishing Grand Sable Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.195 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +7.26 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Grand Sable Lake averages about 59°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 61°F) and coldest in May (about 48°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 1,423 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Grand Sable Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Grand Sable Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 85 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 13 lakes in Alger County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Grand Sable Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Alger County
Explore Grand Sable Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Upper Peninsula area
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Grand Sable 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 MI040202010209-04 · Official waterbody report
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: 2024-08-20
Monitoring stations: 1