Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Kalkaska County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 7 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Central mudminnow, and Golden shiner. Compared to the 23 other monitored lakes in Kalkaska County, Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township ranks #16 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-08-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 21 ft down. Trophic State Index: 33.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 21 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 33 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township
- → Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Papoose Lake Central Basin; Blue Lake Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.224 m/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +4.85 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #16 of 24 lakes in Kalkaska County
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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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: 2023-08-19
Monitoring stations: 1