Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township is a 149-acre mesotrophic lake in Crawford County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 10 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Blacknose shiner, and Central mudminnow. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Crawford County, Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Murky, only visible to about 6.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 2.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.6 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 149 acres |
Where to stay near Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township
- → Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Temperature
Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township averages about 74°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 75°F) and coldest in May (about 66°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 18 field readings (2022–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 6 lakes in Crawford County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ATwin Lakes; Grayling TwpCrawford County · 3.1 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- AHiggins Lake East BasinRoscommon County · 15.3 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
Nearby Lakes in Crawford County
Explore Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Crawford County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Montmorency County · Clarity: 13 ft
Roscommon County · Clarity: 5 ft
Otsego County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Oscoda County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Wakeley Lake; Central Basin; Grayling Township is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Wakeley Lake Dam (completed 1991), built primarily for fish and wildlife pond on the WAKELEY CREEK; earth-type dam, 9 ft tall and 700 ft long.
- Surface area
- 149 ac
- Normal storage
- 373 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 693 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 3 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- USDA FS
All listed purposes: Fish and Wildlife Pond;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI01226 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.64 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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-19
Monitoring stations: 1