Chippewa County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 18 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Chippewa County's 18 graded lakes fall in the moderate-density bracket for Michigan. The county-level average smooths over real differences — a single agricultural watershed near the southwest corner can pull the average down even if the rest of the county runs clean. With an average grade of B, Chippewa County sits comfortably above the Michigan median.
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 Whitefish Bay Deep Lake (A); the most-stressed is Community College Pond (D).
Quick Answers for Chippewa County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Whitefish Bay Deep Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Chippewa County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish Bay Deep Lake | A | 34.4 ft | - | 16 µg/L |
| 2 | Mcnearney Lake | A | 18.5 ft | - | - |
| 3 | Monocle Lake | A | 16 ft | - | - |
| 4 | Su01m Lake | A | 44.3 ft | - | - |
| 5 | Saint Mary'S River Offshore Lake | A | - | - | 17.5 µg/L |
| 6 | Seq034a Lake | A | - | - | - |
| 7 | Ls94 Lake | A | - | - | - |
| 8 | Saint Mary'S River Shore Lake | A | - | - | 22.5 µg/L |
| 9 | Back Bay Deep Lake | B | 8.2 ft | - | 15 µg/L |
| 10 | Whitefish Bay Shore Lake | B | - | - | 39.5 µg/L |
| 11 | Sugar Island Lake | B | 8.2 ft | - | 21.5 µg/L |
| 12 | Wharf 1 Lake | B | - | - | 24 µg/L |
| 13 | Spectacle Lake | B | - | - | 21.9 µg/L |
| 14 | Back Bay Lake | C | 4.9 ft | - | 20.9 µg/L |
| 15 | Back Bay Waiskey River Lake | C | 2.9 ft | - | 25 µg/L |
| 16 | North Pond | C | - | - | 25 µg/L |
| 17 | South Pond | D | 1.3 ft | - | 27.5 µg/L |
| 18 | Community College Pond | D | 1.5 ft | - | 35 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.