Shag Lake Northeast Basin is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Marquette County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 7 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Golden shiner, and Iowa darter. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Marquette County, Shag Lake Northeast Basin ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 14.3 ft. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14.3 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Shag Lake Northeast Basin
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Shag Lake Northeast Basin
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +3.59 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 10 lakes in Marquette County
Nearby Lakes in Marquette County
Explore Shag Lake Northeast Basin across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Marquette 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
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Dickinson County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Shag Lake Northeast Basin 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 MI040301100206-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.76 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Shag Lake Northeast Basin under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Joe & SonsGwinn · 3 mi away · NPDES MIG080309
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2023-09-23
Monitoring stations: 1