Little Paw Paw Lake
Berrien County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic
Little Paw Paw Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Berrien County, MI. Water quality is graded F based on 1 sampling years through 2021. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Lake herring. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Berrien County, Little Paw Paw Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2021-09-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 3 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 61.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 61 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Little Paw Paw Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Little Paw Paw Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Little Paw Paw Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Berrien County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Little Paw Paw Lake holds Grade F. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Berrien County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Little Paw Paw Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040500012505-01 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.22 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2021-09-15
Monitoring stations: 1