Shell Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Leelanau County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Leelanau County, Shell Lake ranks #13 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-09-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 11.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 19.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.2 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | 19.7 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Shell Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Shell Lake in Leelanau County, Michigan — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Fishing Shell Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.03 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1.35 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Water Temperature
Shell Lake averages about 76°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 78°F) and coldest in Sep (about 70°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 390 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Shell Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Shell Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 12 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #13 of 21 lakes in Leelanau County
Nearby Lakes in Leelanau County
Explore Shell Lake across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Leelanau County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More records, surveys & data sources
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 Shell Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Good Harbor Bay-Nuisance AnimalAnn Arbor · 4.5 mi away · NPDES MI0060268
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-09-03
Monitoring stations: 1