Lake Bellaire is a 1,520-acre mesotrophic lake in Antrim County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 22 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Bluegill, and Bluntnose minnow. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Antrim County, Lake Bellaire ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-08-18. 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 8.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 1,520 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Lake Bellaire
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lake Bellaire
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Lake Bellaire, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 95 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 6 lakes in Antrim County
Nearby Lakes in Antrim County
Explore Lake Bellaire across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Antrim County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake Bellaire is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Bellaire Dam (completed 1906), built primarily for recreation on the Intermediate River; earth-type dam, 18 ft tall and 213 ft long.
- Surface area
- 1,520 ac
- Normal storage
- 6,210 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 12,180 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 145.4 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- Antrim County Board of Public Works
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00435 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Bellaire 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 MI040601050304-08 · 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 Lake Bellaire under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Bellaire WwtpBellaire · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MI0044873Recent violation
- Northen A-1 ServicesBellaire · 1.8 mi away · NPDES MIG080975
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: 2022-08-18
Monitoring stations: 1