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Sissabagama Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Sand Lake. Both are in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.

Reviewed by LakeQuality Editorial Team · Updated

Sand Lake and Sissabagama Lake are both in Wisconsin — a same-state head-to-head where the comparison comes down to lake-specific differences in depth, watershed, and monitoring history rather than the broader state-level water-quality regime. These two sit close on their nutrient and algae readings, Sand Lake versus Sissabagama Lake. The deciding factors for a recreational visitor are likely physical (depth, access, fish species) rather than water-quality differences.

With readings this close, the choice between the two lakes turns on non-water-quality factors: depth, fish species, public access, distance from home. The per-lake pages below cover all of those.

Sand Lake

Sawyer County, Wisconsin

Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft.

Sissabagama Lake

Sawyer County, Wisconsin

Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft.

Side-by-Side Metrics

MetricSand LakeSissabagama Lake
Water Clarity10 ft Better8 ft
Phosphorus23.8 µg/L18.7 µg/L Better
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)4.1 µg/LNo data
Maximum Depth50 ft Better48 ft
Surface Area949 acres805 acres
Public AccessYesYes
Fish Species66
Trophic Statemesotrophicmesotrophic

A green ✓ marks the better value for that metric (lower phosphorus / chlorophyll = cleaner; higher Secchi / depth / species count = better). Surface area and trophic state carry no tick — a bigger lake is not a better lake.

Verdict

Sand Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Sissabagama Lake. Water clarity: 10 ft vs 8 ft. For fishing diversity, Sand Lake also leads with 6 species.

Stays via Stay22

Where to stay near Sand Lake and Sissabagama Lake

Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Sand Lake and Sissabagama Lake. Both lakes are pinned on the map, so you can see which stays sit nearer the one you pick. Switch to Satellite to see how close each is to the water.

Top-rated places to stay near Sand Lake and Sissabagama Lake

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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.