North Bar Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Leelanau County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Leelanau County, North Bar Lake ranks #12 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch North Bar Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 12.7 ft. Phosphorus level: 14.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.7 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | 14.7 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near North Bar Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near North Bar Lake in Leelanau County, Michigan — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Fishing North Bar Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.156 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1.82 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
North Bar Lake averages about 68°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in Oct (about 58°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 555 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full North Bar Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #12 of 21 lakes in Leelanau County
Nearby Lakes in Leelanau County
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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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: 2024-09-10
Monitoring stations: 1