Spider Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Largemouth bass. Compared to the 19 other monitored lakes in Grand Traverse County, Spider Lake ranks #18 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Spider Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 12 ft. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Spider Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Spider Lake in Grand Traverse 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Spider Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Spider Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Spider Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Spider Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.25 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.95 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #18 of 20 lakes in Grand Traverse County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Spider Lake holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Grand Traverse County
Explore Spider Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Grand Traverse County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Grand Traverse Region area
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 B Lakes in Michigan
Antrim County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Antrim County · Clarity: 12.1 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Spider Lake 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 MI040601050506-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.44 km)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-07
Monitoring stations: 1