Paw Paw Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Hillsdale County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Bluegill, Bowfin, and Brook silverside. Public access is available. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Hillsdale County, Paw Paw Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-07-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Paw Paw Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Paw Paw Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.175 m/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 7 lakes in Hillsdale County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Paw Paw Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Hillsdale County
Explore Paw Paw Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Hillsdale County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Lenawee County · Clarity: 5 ft
Jackson County · Clarity: 7.5 ft
Jackson County · Clarity: 8 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 6 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Kalamazoo County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Mesotrophic 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
Most recent sample: 2023-07-11
Monitoring stations: 1