Shelby County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 6 lakes, average grade F (Very Poor)
Shelby County has 6 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 Manteno Lake (D); the most-stressed is Prairie Rose Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Shelby County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Manteno Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Shelby County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manteno Lake | D | 2.7 ft | - | - |
| 2 | Prairie Rose Lake | F | 1.6 ft | - | - |
| 3 | Prairie Rose Station 60 Lake | F | 0.9 ft | - | - |
| 4 | Prairie Rose Station 70 Lake | F | 3 ft | - | - |
| 5 | Prairie Rose Station 40 Lake | F | 0.9 ft | - | - |
| 6 | Prairie Rose Station 50 Lake | F | 0.7 ft | - | - |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.