Lake Richie is a mesotrophic lake in Keweenaw County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 11 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Golden shiner, and Lake herring. Compared to the 18 other monitored lakes in Keweenaw County, Lake Richie ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-08-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Richie water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.3 ft. Phosphorus level: 17.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.3 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 17.8 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Lake Richie
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Richie in Keweenaw 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 Richie
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lake Richie
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.18 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +4.96 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Water Temperature
Lake Richie averages about 64°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 66°F) and coldest in May (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 867 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lake Richie water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 19 lakes in Keweenaw County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Richie holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ASargent LakeKeweenaw County · 3.9 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ALake HarveyKeweenaw County · 4.5 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ASiskiwit LakeKeweenaw County · 5.1 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
Nearby Lakes in Keweenaw County
Explore Lake Richie across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Keweenaw County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Upper Peninsula area
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
Marquette County · Clarity: 12 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 12 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 10.3 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-08-27
Monitoring stations: 1