Little Traverse Bay Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Charlevoix County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 18 other monitored lakes in Charlevoix County, Little Traverse Bay Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-10-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 4.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 27.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 4.8 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 27 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Little Traverse Bay Lake
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Fishing Little Traverse Bay Lake
Water Temperature
Little Traverse Bay Lake averages about 60°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 60°F) and coldest in May (about 43°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 9 field readings (2024–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Little Traverse Bay Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 19 lakes in Charlevoix County
Nearby Lakes in Charlevoix County
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Little Traverse Bay Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Nine Mile Pointe AssociationCharlevoix · 2.5 mi away · NPDES MIG250401Recent violation
- Cms Land Co-LtbepPetoskey · 3.3 mi away · NPDES MI0058827Recent 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
Most recent sample: 2024-10-24
Monitoring stations: 1