A

Spring Lake

Emmet County, WisconsinOligotrophic

Spring Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Emmet County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 15 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Blacknose shiner, and Bluegill. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Emmet County, Spring Lake ranks #6 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-02-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 3.2 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 32.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	No data
Phosphorus	3.2 µg/L	A
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	3.9 µg/L	A
Trophic State Index (TSI)	32	Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Fish Species

Blackchin shiner Blacknose shiner Bluegill Bluntnose minnow Central mudminnow Golden shiner Iowa darter Johnny darter Largemouth bass Northern longear sunfish Pumpkinseed Rock bass Sand shiner Yellow bullhead Yellow perch

Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.

→ Best fishing times for Spring Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Spring Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

→ Spring Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #6 of 10 lakes in Emmet County

Nearby Lakes in Emmet County

Little Traverse Bay Lake

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin

Chippewa Lake Northeast Basin; Chippewa Township

Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft

Lake Ann Southeast Basin; Almira Township Section 26

Benzie County · Clarity: 13.5 ft

Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township

Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft

Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft

Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township

Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft

Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft

Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake Ann Southeast Basin; Almira Township Section 26 Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township Squaw Lake Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township

EPA Impairment Status

Spring Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Pathogens (E. coli, fecal)

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601050606-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.12 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2022-02-08

Monitoring stations: 2