Payne Lake North Central Basin is a mesotrophic lake in Barry County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B 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 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 13 other monitored lakes in Barry County, Payne Lake North Central Basin ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Payne Lake North Central Basin water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Payne Lake North Central Basin
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Top-rated places to stay near Payne Lake North Central Basin
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Fishing Payne Lake North Central Basin
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.403 m/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 14 lakes in Barry County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Payne Lake North Central Basin holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Barry County
Explore Payne Lake North Central Basin across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Barry 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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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-09-15
Monitoring stations: 1