Pearl Lake Central Basin is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Benzie County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2021. 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 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Pearl Lake Central Basin ranks #16 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2021-09-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Pearl Lake Central Basin water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 13 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 1.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 38.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.7 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 38 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Pearl Lake Central Basin
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Fishing Pearl Lake Central Basin
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +5.65 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.2 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Pearl Lake Central Basin averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 69°F) and coldest in May (about 54°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 168 field readings (2021–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Pearl Lake Central Basin water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #16 of 35 lakes in Benzie County
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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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: 2021-09-13
Monitoring stations: 1