Sugar Island Lake
Chippewa County, MichiganView mapDirections
Not enough samples to grade — no EPA ecoregion for this lake, so the National Lakes Assessment condition thresholds cannot be applied. No letter yet. Here is what we do have.
- Limited data
Sugar Island Lake in Chippewa County, Michigan is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 8.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 23.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 8.2 ft
- Typical in September
- 63°F
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
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Stays near Sugar Island Lake
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Watch Sugar Island Lake’s letter
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Why Sugar Island Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Sugar Island Lake, no EPA ecoregion for this lake, so the National Lakes Assessment condition thresholds cannot be applied. Sampling here has recorded water clarity, phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by EGLE and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Sugar Island Lake is a lake in Chippewa County, Michigan. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, EGLE, last sampled 2025-08-15. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
The letter is not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water quality measurements for Sugar Island Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.2 ft. Phosphorus 23.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 3 µg/L. TSI 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.2 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 23.7 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Water Temperature
Sugar Island Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 61°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 68°F) and coldest in Apr (about 44°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 176 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Sugar Island Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Sugar Island Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.073 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -2.5 µg/L/yr | 6 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.4 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Nearby Lakes in Chippewa County
Frequently asked questions about Sugar Island Lake
Where is Sugar Island Lake?
- Sugar Island Lake is a lake in Chippewa County, Michigan. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — no EPA ecoregion for this lake, so the National Lakes Assessment condition thresholds cannot be applied.
What is the water quality grade for Sugar Island Lake?
- Sugar Island Lake in Chippewa County, Michigan is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 8.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 23.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3 µg/L.
Is Sugar Island Lake safe to swim in?
- The letter is not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Sugar Island Lake?
- Sugar Island Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in September, from 176 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
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Where this data comes from
98 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2016–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-26.
Collected and reported by
- Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan (Tribal)
BMIC_WQX98 samples · 2016–2025
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.