What is the water quality grade for Otter Lake?

Otter Lake in Benzie County, Michigan received a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 12 ft visibility. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.7 µg/L.

Is Otter Lake safe to swim in?

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Otter Lake has an overall water quality grade of A. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 1.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

What fish are in Otter Lake?

Fish species found in Otter Lake include Bigmouth shiner, Black bullhead, Black crappie, Blacknose shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, Brown bullhead, Burbot, Golden shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, Lake herring, Lake sturgeon, Largemouth bass, Longnose sucker, Mimic shiner, Northern logperch, Northern pike, Rock bass, Sand shiner, Sauger, Shorthead redhorse, Silver lamprey, Silver redhorse, Smallmouth bass, Spottail shiner, Trout-perch, Walleye, White sucker, Yellow perch. Otter Lake is located in Benzie County, Michigan.

Benzie County, Michigan · 44.74°N

Otter Lake

Grade AExcellent · 12 ft clarity

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Oligotrophic

Otter Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Benzie County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2021. The lake supports 30 documented fish species including Bigmouth shiner, Black bullhead, and Black crappie. Public access is available. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Otter Lake ranks #15 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2021-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

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Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

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Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Good clarity, visible to about 12 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 1.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 39.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	12 ft	B
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	1.7 µg/L	A
Trophic State Index (TSI)	39	Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Where to stay near Otter Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Otter Lake in Benzie 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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Fish Species

Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.

Fishing Otter Lake

Water Temperature

Otter Lake averages about 72°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 75°F) and coldest in May (about 62°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.