Lake Leelanau; North Basin is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Leelanau County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Leelanau County, Lake Leelanau; North Basin ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2021-08-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Leelanau; North Basin water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 18 ft down. Trophic State Index: 35.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 18 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 35 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Lake Leelanau; North Basin
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Leelanau; North Basin in Leelanau 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 Leelanau; North Basin
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 Lake Leelanau; North Basin?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Lake Leelanau; North Basin — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fishing Lake Leelanau; North Basin
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Lake Leelanau; North Basin averages about 58°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 61°F) and coldest in May (about 49°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 1,893 field readings (2011–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lake Leelanau; North Basin water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 21 lakes in Leelanau County
Nearby Lakes in Leelanau County
Explore Lake Leelanau; North Basin across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Leelanau County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Grand Traverse Region area
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Grand Traverse County · Clarity: 15 ft
Grand Traverse County · Clarity: 15 ft
Grand Traverse County · Clarity: 23.8 ft
Grand Traverse County · Clarity: 24 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 18 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 18 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Leelanau; North Basin 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 MI040601040103-04 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.15 km)
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: 2021-08-10
Monitoring stations: 1