Lower Herring Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Benzie County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 25 documented fish species including Black crappie, Bluegill, and Bluntnose minnow. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Lower Herring Lake ranks #26 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-06. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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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 13.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13.8 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Lower Herring Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lower Herring Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +10.22 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.3 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Lower Herring Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 50 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #26 of 35 lakes in Benzie County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lower Herring Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Benzie County
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 10 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 8.5 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 9 ft
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-09-06
Monitoring stations: 1