Where is North Chain Lake?

North Chain Lake is a lake in St. Joseph County, Indiana. Its water-quality measurements are published by IDEM and shown on this page as reported.

How deep is North Chain Lake?

North Chain Lake has a maximum depth of 32.2 feet and an average depth of 9.8 feet. The lake covers 86 acres.

Are there boat ramps on North Chain Lake?

North Chain Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lentz Landing. Public access is listed as yes.

Can I fish at North Chain Lake?

North Chain Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Indiana's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.

North Chain Lake

St. Joseph County, Indiana86 acresView map Directions

No nutrient or algae sampling on record from IDEM for this lake.

Max depth

32.2 ft

Bathymetric survey

Area

86 acres

Surface area

Shoreline

2.6 mi

Measured length

Impaired · Mercury
32 ft max depth
Public access

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

North Chain Lake in St. Joseph County, Indiana has water-quality measurements published by IDEM, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 32.2 ft. Surface area: 86 acres.

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North Chain Lake is a 86-acre lake in St. Joseph County, Indiana with a maximum depth of 32 feet (10-foot average). Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, IDEM. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

What North Chain Lake is good for

From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.

Boat launch1 documented ramp
Deep water32.2 ft surveyed max depth

Swimming conditions

No reading

Not rated

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. North Chain Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether North Chain Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for North Chain Lake

These are the measurements IDEM publishes for North Chain Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data. TSI undefined.

Ask about North Chain Lake

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

Lake Details

Max depth

32.2 ft

Average depth

9.8 ft

Surface area

86 acres

Shoreline

2.6 mi

Public access

Yes

Listed by IDEM

Recreation & Access

Boat Landings

Yes

Public Access

Lentz LandingPublic

Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps

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Stays near North Chain Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near North Chain Lake in St. Joseph County, Indiana — 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.

Top-rated places to stay near North Chain Lake

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Fishing North Chain Lake

→ North Chain Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

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

Causes of impairment

MercuryPCBs

Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit INK01P1055_00 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in St. Joseph County

South Chain Lake1.1 miView →Chamberlain Lake3.1 miView →Mud Lake3.5 miView →South Clear Lake4.1 miView →Pinhook Lake5 miView →Saint Josephs Lake6.8 miView →

Frequently asked questions about North Chain Lake

Where is North Chain Lake?: North Chain Lake is a lake in St. Joseph County, Indiana. Its water-quality measurements are published by IDEM and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of North Chain Lake?: North Chain Lake in St. Joseph County, Indiana has water-quality measurements published by IDEM, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 32.2 ft. Surface area: 86 acres.
Is North Chain Lake safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. North Chain Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
How deep is North Chain Lake?: North Chain Lake has a maximum depth of 32.2 feet and an average depth of 9.8 feet. The lake covers 86 acres.
Are there boat ramps on North Chain Lake?: North Chain Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lentz Landing. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at North Chain Lake?: North Chain Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Indiana's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.