Legion Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Alger County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 12 other monitored lakes in Alger County, Legion Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-08-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Legion Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.3 ft. Phosphorus level: 17.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.3 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 17.8 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Legion Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Legion Lake in Alger 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 Legion Lake
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 Legion Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Legion Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fishing Legion Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.361 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +3.19 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
Legion Lake averages about 61°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 63°F) and coldest in Jun (about 57°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 737 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Legion Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Legion Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 35 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 13 lakes in Alger County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Legion Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Alger County
Explore Legion Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
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: 12.5 ft
Marquette County · Clarity: 12 ft
Charlevoix County · Clarity: 10 ft
Charlevoix County · Clarity: 10 ft
Marquette County · Clarity: 14.3 ft
Marquette County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-08-23
Monitoring stations: 1