What is the water quality grade for Pickerel Lake?

Pickerel Lake in Kalkaska County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 15 ft visibility.

Is Pickerel Lake safe to swim in?

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Pickerel Lake has an overall water quality grade of A. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

What fish are in Pickerel Lake?

Fish species found in Pickerel Lake include Blackchin shiner, Blacknose shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, Bowfin, Brown bullhead, Common shiner, Creek chub, Golden shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, Lake herring, Largemouth bass, Least darter, Longnose gar, Northern Logperch, Northern pearl dace, Northern pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock bass, Sand shiner, Slimy sculpin, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Western banded killifish, Western blacknose dace, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Yellow perch. Pickerel Lake is located in Kalkaska County, Wisconsin.

Pickerel Lake

Kalkaska County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic

Pickerel Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Kalkaska County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2021. The lake supports 29 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Blacknose shiner, and Bluegill. Compared to the 23 other monitored lakes in Kalkaska County, Pickerel Lake ranks #7 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2021-09-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Crystal clear, you can see 15 ft down. Trophic State Index: 38.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	15 ft	A
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	38	Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Fish Species

Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.

→ Best fishing times for Pickerel Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Pickerel Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

→ Pickerel Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #7 of 24 lakes in Kalkaska County

Nearby Lakes in Kalkaska County

Pickerel Lake Central Basin;Cold Springs Township Section 25

Kalkaska County

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin

Chippewa Lake Northeast Basin; Chippewa Township

Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft

Lake Ann Southeast Basin; Almira Township Section 26

Benzie County · Clarity: 13.5 ft

Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township

Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft

Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township

Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft

Camp Lake

Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft

Glen Lake

Leelanau County · Clarity: 15.5 ft

Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake Ann Southeast Basin; Almira Township Section 26 Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township Camp Lake

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2021-09-13

Monitoring stations: 1