Whitefish Bay Shore Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Chippewa County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 17 other monitored lakes in Chippewa County, Whitefish Bay Shore Lake ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-10-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 39.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 4.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 39.5 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.8 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Whitefish Bay Shore Lake
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Top-rated places to stay near Whitefish Bay Shore Lake
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Fishing Whitefish Bay Shore Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +2.7 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Water Temperature
Whitefish Bay Shore Lake averages about 59°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 66°F) and coldest in May (about 44°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 190 field readings (2010–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Whitefish Bay Shore Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 18 lakes in Chippewa County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Whitefish Bay Shore Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ASaint Mary'S River Offshore LakeChippewa County · 5.5 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ASaint Mary'S River Shore LakeChippewa County · 5.4 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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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: 2022-10-03
Monitoring stations: 1