Stager Lake Central Basin is a mesotrophic lake in Iron County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 9 documented fish species including Bluegill, Brook trout, and Common shiner. Public access is available. Compared to the 38 other monitored lakes in Iron County, Stager Lake Central Basin ranks #26 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 13 ft. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Stager Lake Central Basin
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Stager Lake Central Basin
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +5.56 m/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #26 of 39 lakes in Iron County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Stager Lake Central Basin holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Iron County
Explore Stager Lake Central Basin across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Iron County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Marquette County · Clarity: 12 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Dickinson County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Stager Lake Central Basin is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040301060409-04 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.19 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: 2023-09-13
Monitoring stations: 1