North Bay Houghton Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Roscommon County, Michigan. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Roscommon County, North Bay Houghton Lake ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 4 ft. Trophic State Index: 57.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 57 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near North Bay Houghton Lake
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Fishing North Bay Houghton Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +3.06 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 6 lakes in Roscommon County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
North Bay Houghton Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Roscommon County
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Other Grade D Lakes in Michigan
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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: 2022-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1