Palo Alto County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 3 lakes, average grade F (Very Poor)
Palo Alto County has 3 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county average is F — the most-stressed bracket in our rubric. Most monitored lakes here show persistent nutrient loading and algal pressure.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Lost Island Lake (D); the most-stressed is Silver Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Palo Alto County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lost Island Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Palo Alto County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lost Island Lake | D | 2.6 ft | - | - |
| 2 | Silver Lake | F | 1.2 ft | - | - |
| 3 | Five Island Lake | F | 1.6 ft | - | - |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.