Perch Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Otsego County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Bluegill. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 12 other monitored lakes in Otsego County, Perch Lake ranks #11 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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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 11.3 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 3.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 43.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.3 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.6 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Perch Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Perch Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +6.04 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Perch Lake averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (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 95 field readings (2022–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Perch Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #11 of 13 lakes in Otsego County
Nearby Lakes in Otsego County
Explore Perch Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Otsego 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
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Charlevoix County · Clarity: 17 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 13.5 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 18.5 ft
Kalkaska County · Excellent
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-09-01
Monitoring stations: 1