Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Montcalm County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 21 documented fish species including Black crappie, Blackchin shiner, and Bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Montcalm County, Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 16 ft down. Chlorophyll-a: 3.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 16 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.4 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township
- → Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.1 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.6 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township averages about 60°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Sep (about 62°F) and coldest in May (about 54°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 642 field readings (2021–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 9 lakes in Montcalm County
Nearby Lakes in Montcalm County
Explore Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Montcalm County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Newaygo County · Clarity: 15.5 ft
Newaygo County · Clarity: 16 ft
Newaygo County · Clarity: 25.5 ft
Mecosta County · Clarity: 11 ft
Mecosta County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601020806-03 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.79 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Sand Lake S-N-GSand Lake · 2.5 mi away · NPDES MIG080895
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2023-09-18
Monitoring stations: 1