Long Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Benzie County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 40 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Blacknose shiner, and Blackside darter. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Long Lake ranks #21 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Long Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Long Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Long Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.45 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #21 of 35 lakes in Benzie County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Long Lake holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Benzie County
Explore Long Lake across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Benzie County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Leelanau County · Clarity: 8.5 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 9 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 8.6 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Mesotrophic 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.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-30
Monitoring stations: 1