The Western Lake Erie basin, which extends from the mouth of the Detroit River in the north to the edge of Sandusky Bay and the Bass Islands region in the east, was in moderate health in 2018. The lake basin received a score of 57%, a C+. The water quality index received a poor score (28%), with individual indicator scores ranging from very poor to moderate. The fish category received a good score (78%), with a very poor emerald shine score (12%) and very good walleye and yellow perch scores. The bloom category received a good score, with individual indicator scores ranging from moderate to very good.
The overall lake score is made up of eleven indicators that had adequate data. The highest-scoring indicator was recreational toxin. The lowest-scoring indicators were emerald shiner and nitrate-nitrite. Read more about the specific indicator scores here.
