Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township is a mesotrophic lake in Cass County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 25 documented fish species including Black crappie, Blackchin shiner, and Blacknose shiner. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 22 other monitored lakes in Cass County, Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township ranks #11 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7 ft. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township
- → Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.6 m/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 70 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #11 of 23 lakes in Cass County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Cass County
Explore Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Cass 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 C Lakes in Michigan
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Kalamazoo County · Clarity: 9 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 8 ft
Kalamazoo County · Clarity: 8 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 6 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 8.3 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: 2023-09-27
Monitoring stations: 1