Little Beaver Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Alger County, Michigan. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 12 other monitored lakes in Alger County, Little Beaver Lake ranks #13 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-08-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Little Beaver Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 6.2 ft. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.2 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Little Beaver Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Little Beaver 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 Little Beaver 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 Little Beaver Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Little Beaver Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fishing Little Beaver Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.114 m/yr | 5 |
Water Temperature
Little Beaver Lake averages about 65°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 67°F) and coldest in Jun (about 62°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 469 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Little Beaver Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Little Beaver Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 30 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #13 of 13 lakes in Alger County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Little Beaver Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ABeaver LakeAlger County · 1.6 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BLegion LakeAlger County · 2.2 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BTrapper'S LakeAlger County · 3 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BGrand Sable LakeAlger County · 16.8 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BChapel LakeAlger County · 4.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
Nearby Lakes in Alger County
Explore Little Beaver 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
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Michigan
Eutrophic 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: 2024-08-21
Monitoring stations: 1