Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township
Montcalm County, WisconsinOligotrophic
Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Montcalm County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 21 documented fish species including Black crappie, Blackchin shiner, and Bluegill. 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, local state DNR records, last sampled 2023-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township (14-day solunar calendar)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 9 lakes in Montcalm County
Nearby Lakes in Montcalm County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 13.5 ft
Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
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)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-18
Monitoring stations: 1