Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Iron County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2023. 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 38 other monitored lakes in Iron County, Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township ranks #17 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-08-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 20 ft down. Trophic State Index: 34.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 20 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 34 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township in Iron 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fishing Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.43 m/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #17 of 39 lakes in Iron County
Nearby Lakes in Iron County
Explore Ottawa Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Iron County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Upper Peninsula area
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
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: 2023-08-16
Monitoring stations: 1