What is the water quality grade for Upper Herring Lake?

Upper Herring Lake in Benzie County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.5 ft visibility.

Is Upper Herring Lake safe to swim in?

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Upper Herring Lake has an overall water quality grade of C. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Upper Herring Lake

Benzie County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic

Upper Herring Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Benzie County, MI. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 18 documented fish species including Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, and Brown bullhead. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Upper Herring Lake ranks #33 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

Water Quality Grade: C, Fair

Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 48.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	7.5 ft	C
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	48	Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Fish Species

Bluegill Bluntnose minnow Brown bullhead Johnny darter Longnose gar Mimic shiner Northern longear sunfish Northern pike Pumpkinseed Rock bass Sand shiner Smallmouth bass Spottail shiner Walleye Western banded killifish White sucker Yellow bullhead Yellow perch

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

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

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

→ Upper Herring Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #33 of 35 lakes in Benzie County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Upper Herring Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Benzie County

Sanford Lake

Benzie County

Crystal Lake Central Basin; Lake Township Section 12

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

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Top 25 by overall water quality score

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Grade A/B + low algae filter

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Panfish-rich, public access

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Full state directory

Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin

Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township

Cass County · Clarity: 7 ft

Brooks Lake

Leelanau County · Clarity: 9.5 ft

Van Etten Lake North Central Basin; Oscoda Township

Iosco County · Clarity: 5.5 ft

White Lake

Muskegon County · Clarity: 6.8 ft

Little Lake Twenty

Gladwin County · Clarity: 9 ft

East Twin Lake

Montmorency County · Clarity: 9 ft

Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13 Portage Lake Shavehead Lake East Basin; Porter Township Chippewa Lake Northeast Basin; Chippewa Township

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2022-09-03

Monitoring stations: 1