Lancer Lake Southeast is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Gladwin County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Gladwin County, Lancer Lake Southeast ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 13.2 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 1.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 38.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13.2 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.7 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 38 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Lancer Lake Southeast
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Fishing Lancer Lake Southeast
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +3.89 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | 0 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Lancer Lake Southeast averages about 71°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 73°F) and coldest in May (about 58°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 524 field readings (2013–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lancer Lake Southeast water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 9 lakes in Gladwin County
Nearby Lakes in Gladwin County
Explore Lancer Lake Southeast across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Gladwin County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Clare County · Clarity: 17.5 ft
Roscommon County · Clarity: 35 ft
Roscommon County · Clarity: 34 ft
Roscommon County · Clarity: 34.5 ft
Crawford County · Clarity: 19 ft
Crawford County · Clarity: 19 ft
Oligotrophic 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.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Lancer Lake Southeast under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Butman Twp WwtpGladwin · 0.8 mi away · NPDES MI0027898Recent violation
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
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: 2023-09-08
Monitoring stations: 1