Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Barry County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Water clarity is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Rainbow smelt. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 13 other monitored lakes in Barry County, Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township water quality
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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 12.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 2.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.4 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township
- → Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.25 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.55 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township averages about 70°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 73°F) and coldest in May (about 60°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 899 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township, 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 #4 of 14 lakes in Barry County
Nearby Lakes in Barry County
Explore Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Barry 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
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Allegan County · Clarity: 14 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 13 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 16 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 16 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 17 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 Little Long Lake Central Basin; Prairieville Township under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Hickory Gables-CafoHickory Corners · 1 mi away · NPDES MI0058276
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: 2023-09-24
Monitoring stations: 1