Iron County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 2 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Iron County has 2 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-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
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 Council Bluff Lake (A); the most-stressed is Shepard Mountain Lake Intake (D).
Quick Answers for Iron County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Council Bluff Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Iron County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Council Bluff Lake | A | 13.1 ft | - | 5.3 µg/L |
| 2 | Shepard Mountain Lake Intake | D | 2.8 ft | - | 37 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.