A

Loon Lake

Benzie County, WisconsinMesotrophic

Loon Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Benzie County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. The lake supports 13 documented fish species including Black bullhead, Blackchin shiner, and Bluegill. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Loon Lake ranks #13 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Good clarity, visible to about 12.1 ft. Phosphorus level: 15 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 42.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	12.1 ft	B
Phosphorus	15 µg/L	A
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	42	Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Fish Species

Black bullhead Blackchin shiner Bluegill Bluntnose minnow Central mudminnow Green sunfish Lake herring Largemouth bass Pumpkinseed Rock bass Western banded killifish White sucker Yellow perch

Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.

→ Best fishing times for Loon Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Loon Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

→ Loon Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #13 of 35 lakes in Benzie County

Nearby Lakes in Benzie County

Crystal Lake Central Basin; Lake Township Section 12

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin

Chippewa Lake Northeast Basin; Chippewa Township

Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft

Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township

Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft

Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft

Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township

Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft

Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft

Leelanau County · Clarity: 15.5 ft

Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13 Portage Lake Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township Chippewa Lake Northeast Basin; Chippewa Township

EPA Impairment Status

Loon Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Oxygen depletion (low DO)

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601040206-05 · Official waterbody report

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: 2024-09-10

Monitoring stations: 1