Irish Hills
A belt of rolling glacial moraine in southeastern Jackson and northwestern Lenawee counties, with more than 50 kettle lakes strung along US-12, including Devils Lake, Wamplers Lake, and Sand Lake. The area takes its name from Irish immigrants who settled here in the 1830s and 1840s, and today centers on Hayes State Park, small-lake boating and fishing, and Michigan International Speedway.
| Lake | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farewell Lake West Basin; Hanover Township | Jackson | 11.8 ft | - | 18 |
| Clear Lake East Basin; Waterloo Township | Jackson | 10 ft | - | 17 |
| Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township | Lenawee | 13.5 ft | - | 6 |
| Devils Lake Central Basin North | Lenawee | 10.8 ft | - | 3 |
| Round Lake Central Basin | Lenawee | 12 ft | - | 25 |
| Posey Lake Central Basin; Hudson Township | Lenawee | 5 ft | - | 7 |
| Farewell Lake | Jackson | 11.5 ft | - | 18 |
| Sand Lake | Lenawee | 13.3 ft | - | 8 |
| Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township | Jackson | 7.5 ft | - | 1 |
| Clear Lake | Jackson | 10 ft | - | 16 |
| Brown Lake | Jackson | 8 ft | - | 6 |
| Posey Lake | Lenawee | 4.5 ft | - | 7 |
| Batteese Lake | Jackson | 2.8 ft | - | 2 |
| Batteese Lake | Jackson | 3 ft | - | 2 |
| Devils Lake | Lenawee | 10.8 ft | - | 27 |
| Ackerson Lake; Napoleon Twp | Jackson | 12 ft | - | 0 |
| Round Lake | Lenawee | 12.5 ft | - | 23 |
| Cranberry Lake | Jackson | - | - | 0 |
Ways to pick a Irish Hills lake
Cleanest water
- Farewell Lake West Basin; Hanover Township — 11.8 ft clarity
- Clear Lake East Basin; Waterloo Township — 10 ft clarity
- Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township — 13.5 ft clarity
- Devils Lake Central Basin North — 10.8 ft clarity
Documented game fish
- Farewell Lake West Basin; Hanover Township — 18 species
- Clear Lake East Basin; Waterloo Township — 17 species
- Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township — 6 species
- Devils Lake Central Basin North — 3 species
Cleanest Lakes in Irish Hills
Jackson County · 11.8 ft clarity
Jackson County · 10 ft clarity
Lenawee County · 13.5 ft clarity
Lenawee County · 10.8 ft clarity
Lenawee County · 12 ft clarity
Lenawee County · 5 ft clarity
Other Lake Regions
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Irish Hills area has 18 lakes with water-quality records from state and federal monitoring. 17 of them have a clarity reading and 16 have documented fish species.
Cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Irish Hills are on the map below with live availability. A lake with low nutrient and algae readings is the better swim and cabin pick when water quality is part of the trip.
The lakes with the lowest nutrient and algae readings lead the table above. Each lake page shows its own phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and clarity readings beside the EPA condition class; none of it is a same-day swim clearance.
Where to stay near Irish Hills
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Irish Hills — then explore the interactive map to find a place to stay close to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Irish Hills
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.