Lake Bellaire
Antrim County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Lake Bellaire is a 1,520-acre mesotrophic lake in Antrim County, MI. 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. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Antrim County, Lake Bellaire ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-08-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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 | 1.5K acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Lake Bellaire (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Lake Bellaire? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Lake Bellaire fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 6 lakes in Antrim County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Bellaire holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Antrim County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Cass County · Clarity: 7 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Iosco County · Clarity: 5.5 ft
Muskegon County · Clarity: 6.8 ft
Gladwin County · Clarity: 9 ft
Montmorency County · Clarity: 9 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
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
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-08-18
Monitoring stations: 1