Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township is a mesotrophic lake in Benzie County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 18 documented fish species including Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, and Brown bullhead. Public access is available. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township ranks #31 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township
- → Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.21 m/yr | 3 |
Water Temperature
Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township averages about 71°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 73°F) and coldest in May (about 57°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 93 field readings (2021–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #31 of 35 lakes in Benzie County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Upper Herring Lake; Central Basin; Blaine Township holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Benzie County
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
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Leelanau County · Clarity: 8.5 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 8 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-05
Monitoring stations: 1