Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 10 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Bluegill, and Bluntnose minnow. Public access is available. Compared to the 19 other monitored lakes in Grand Traverse County, Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 23.8 ft down. Chlorophyll-a: 1.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 33.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 23.8 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.4 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 33 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township
- → Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +4.105 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | 0 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Water Temperature
Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township averages about 64°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 66°F) and coldest in May (about 53°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 848 field readings (2018–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 20 lakes in Grand Traverse County
Nearby Lakes in Grand Traverse County
Explore Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Grand Traverse 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
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
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.
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: 2023-09-18
Monitoring stations: 1