Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Iron County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 38 other monitored lakes in Iron County, Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township ranks #35 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-08-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 6 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 6.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.5 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township
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Fishing Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -1.56 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | +0.1 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Water Temperature
Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township averages about 70°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 72°F) and coldest in May (about 56°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 40 field readings (2016–2016) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #35 of 39 lakes in Iron County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Iron County
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
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Gogebic County · Clarity: 7.9 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 9.3 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 7.3 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 7 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Eutrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Perch Lake Central Basin; Bates Township is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040201040104-05 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.32 km)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-08-28
Monitoring stations: 1