Smoky Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Iron County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2026. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Lake herring. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 38 other monitored lakes in Iron County, Smoky Lake ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2026-05-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 24 ft down. Phosphorus level: 8.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 33.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 24 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 8.3 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 33 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Smoky Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Smoky Lake in Iron 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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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Smoky Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.757 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Smoky Lake averages about 71°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 74°F) and coldest in Feb (about 33°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 144 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Smoky Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 39 lakes in Iron County
Nearby Lakes in Iron County
Explore Smoky Lake across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Iron County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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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.
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: 2026-05-07
Monitoring stations: 1