Indian Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 3 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Lake herring. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Kalamazoo County, Indian Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2025-11-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Indian Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Based on E. coli testing, Indian Lake never exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 0% of 11 samples across 8 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Michigan’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 34 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 2.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.2 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 34 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.2 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Indian Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Indian Lake in Kalamazoo 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 Indian 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 Indian Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Indian 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 Indian Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.13 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +43.7 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Indian Lake averages about 68°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in Jan (about 38°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 722 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Indian Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 12 lakes in Kalamazoo County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Indian Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Kalamazoo County
Explore Indian Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Kalamazoo County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2025-11-26
Monitoring stations: 1