Syracuse Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Kosciusko County, Indiana. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 18 other monitored lakes in Kosciusko County, Syracuse Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Indiana DNR, last sampled 2021-08-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Syracuse Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Syracuse Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.25 m/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.2 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Syracuse Lake averages about 75°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 78°F) and coldest in Jun (about 72°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 14 field readings (2012–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Syracuse Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 19 lakes in Kosciusko County
Nearby Lakes in Kosciusko County
Explore Syracuse Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Indiana
Fish species and best lakes in Kosciusko County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Northern Indiana Lake Country area
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Indiana's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Indiana Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Indiana
Mesotrophic Lakes in Indiana
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
37 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Syracuse Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Syracuse, Town OfSyracuse · 1.1 mi away · NPDES IN0021172MajorRecent violation
- Syracuse Rubber Products IncSyracuse · 0.6 mi away · NPDES IN0000809
- Omc Aluminum Boat GroupSyracuse · 0.6 mi away · NPDES IN0056146
- Aia CountertopsSyracuse · 0.6 mi away · NPDES INRM01955
- Mdk (Former Red D Mart)Syracuse · 0.7 mi away · NPDES ING080243
- Syracuse Rubber Products, Inc.Syracuse · 0.8 mi away · NPDES ING250037
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2021-08-10
Monitoring stations: 1