Safest Lakes to Swim In in Wisconsin
50 lakes in Wisconsin qualify as safest for swimming, all hold grade A or B and report chlorophyll-a (algae) under 10 µg/L. Always check local advisories on the day you swim.
Ranked List
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geneva Lake | Walworth | A | 19 ft | 13 µg/L | - |
| 2 | Lac Courte Oreilles Lake | Sawyer | A | 38.7 ft | 16 µg/L | 1.4 µg/L |
| 3 | Sunset Lake | Portage | A | 41 ft | 12 µg/L | - |
| 4 | Sunset Lake | Vilas | A | 56.5 ft | 11 µg/L | - |
| 5 | Grindstone Lake | Sawyer | A | 57.7 ft | 14.4 µg/L | 1.7 µg/L |
| 6 | Middle Sugarbush Lake | Vilas | A | 50 ft | 13 µg/L | - |
| 7 | Irving Lake | Vilas | A | 36.1 ft | 18.6 µg/L | - |
| 8 | Windigo Lake | Sawyer | A | 36.1 ft | 15.6 µg/L | - |
| 9 | Towanda Lake | Vilas | A | 34.5 ft | 12.6 µg/L | - |
| 10 | Parker Lake | Adams | A | 55.8 ft | 14.8 µg/L | - |
| 11 | West Bay Lake | Vilas | A | 42.7 ft | 16.4 µg/L | - |
| 12 | Long Lake | Washburn | A | 29.5 ft | 17.5 µg/L | - |
| 13 | Long Lake | Waushara | A | 45.9 ft | 11.6 µg/L | - |
| 14 | Long Lake | Waupaca | A | 44.3 ft | 12.4 µg/L | - |
| 15 | Long Lake | Burnett | A | 68.9 ft | 11.3 µg/L | - |
| 16 | Long Lake | Lincoln | A | 47.7 ft | 12.4 µg/L | - |
| 17 | Long Lake | Chippewa | A | 32.8 ft | 12.4 µg/L | - |
| 18 | Long Lake | Fond du Lac | A | 32.8 ft | 19.3 µg/L | - |
| 19 | Long Lake | Bayfield | A | 52.5 ft | 13.7 µg/L | - |
| 20 | Long Lake | Oconto | A | 47.6 ft | 10.2 µg/L | - |
| 21 | Chain Lake | Oconto | A | 44.3 ft | 9.5 µg/L | - |
| 22 | Upper Eau Claire Lake | Bayfield | A | 61.5 ft | 11.5 µg/L | - |
| 23 | Spring Lake | Vilas | A | 27.9 ft | 16.3 µg/L | - |
| 24 | Spring Lake | Manitowoc | A | 26.2 ft | 19.6 µg/L | - |
| 25 | Black Hawk Lake | Iowa | A | 17.2 ft | 19.9 µg/L | - |
| 26 | Spider Lake | Vilas | A | 36.9 ft | 14.1 µg/L | - |
| 27 | Spider Lake | Sawyer | A | 32.8 ft | 14.1 µg/L | - |
| 28 | Spider Lake | Iron | A | 27.9 ft | 14.1 µg/L | - |
| 29 | Silver Lake | Waupaca | A | 23 ft | 18.5 µg/L | - |
| 30 | Silver Lake | Waukesha | A | 36.9 ft | 11.8 µg/L | - |
| 31 | Silver Lake | Waushara | A | 33.6 ft | 14.9 µg/L | - |
| 32 | Silver Lake | Kenosha | A | 25.5 ft | 18 µg/L | - |
| 33 | Silver Lake | Barron | A | 42.7 ft | 12.5 µg/L | - |
| 34 | Silver Lake | Waushara | A | 49.2 ft | 14.7 µg/L | - |
| 35 | Silver Lake | Vilas | A | 39.9 ft | 17.8 µg/L | - |
| 36 | Silver Lake | Forest | A | 42.7 ft | 11.5 µg/L | - |
| 37 | Wood Lake | Marquette | A | 45.9 ft | 10.9 µg/L | - |
| 38 | Pleasant Lake | Waushara | A | 39.4 ft | 11.8 µg/L | - |
| 39 | Pleasant Lake | Walworth | A | 44.3 ft | 15.1 µg/L | - |
| 40 | Lac la Belle Lake | Waukesha | A | 16.4 ft | 14.7 µg/L | - |
| 41 | Dead Pike Lake | Vilas | A | 24.6 ft | 14.2 µg/L | - |
| 42 | Ballard Lake | Vilas | A | 49.2 ft | 15.5 µg/L | - |
| 43 | Stella Lake | Oneida | A | 26.2 ft | 14.4 µg/L | - |
| 44 | Neligan Lake | Oconto | A | 45.9 ft | 11.1 µg/L | - |
| 45 | Balsam Lake | Washburn | A | 31.2 ft | 19.3 µg/L | - |
| 46 | Spencer Lake | Waupaca | A | 27.9 ft | 11.2 µg/L | - |
| 47 | Birch Lake | Vilas | A | 21.3 ft | 16.6 µg/L | - |
| 48 | Leader Lake | Douglas | A | 50.9 ft | 9.5 µg/L | - |
| 49 | Shishebogama Lake | Oneida | A | 32.8 ft | 13.8 µg/L | - |
| 50 | Goose Lake | Adams | A | 26.2 ft | 17.7 µg/L | - |