Lake Charlevoix is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Charlevoix County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2020. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Lake whitefish, Rainbow smelt, and Round whitefish. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 18 other monitored lakes in Charlevoix County, Lake Charlevoix ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2020-10-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Chlorophyll-a: 2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 37.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 37 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Lake Charlevoix
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Charlevoix in Charlevoix 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 Lake Charlevoix
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lake Charlevoix
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Lake Charlevoix averages about 69°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 69°F) and coldest in Feb (about 34°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 56 field readings (2015–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lake Charlevoix water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Lake Charlevoix, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 122 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 19 lakes in Charlevoix County
Nearby Lakes in Charlevoix County
Explore Lake Charlevoix across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Charlevoix County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
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More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Charlevoix is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601050207-01 · 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: 2020-10-20
Monitoring stations: 1