A

Sanford Lake

Benzie County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic

Sanford Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Benzie County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 17 documented fish species including Black crappie, Blackside darter, and Bluegill. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Sanford Lake ranks #1 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2023-09-10. 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 15.8 ft down. Trophic State Index: 37.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	15.8 ft	A
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	37	Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Fish Species

Black crappie Blackside darter Bluegill Bluntnose minnow Central stoneroller Common shiner Creek chub Golden shiner Hornyhead chub Johnny darter Largemouth bass Northern logperch Pumpkinseed Rock bass Smallmouth bass Spotfin shiner Yellow perch

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

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

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

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

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #1 of 35 lakes in Benzie County

Nearby Lakes in Benzie County

Crystal Lake Central Basin; Lake Township Section 12

Lake View; Almira Twp

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

Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township

Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft

Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft

Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township

Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft

Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft

Leelanau County · Clarity: 15.5 ft

Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township Squaw Lake Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township Camp Lake

EPA Impairment Status

Sanford Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

MercuryOxygen depletion (low DO)

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601040202-01 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.6 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2023-09-10

Monitoring stations: 1