Pickerel Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Emmet County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 22 documented fish species including Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, and Bowfin. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Emmet County, Pickerel Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-08. 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 9.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Pickerel Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Pickerel Lake
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Pickerel Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 74 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 10 lakes in Emmet County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Pickerel Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Emmet County
Explore Pickerel Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Emmet County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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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 C Lakes in Michigan
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Pickerel Lake 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 MI040700040202-05 · Official waterbody report
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: 2022-09-08
Monitoring stations: 1