Ripley County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 2 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)
Only 2 lakes in Ripley County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. The county's average grade is A — among the cleanest in Missouri. 1 lakes pull an A on their own, and almost none fall into the D or F brackets.
Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Fourche Creek Lake (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Ripley County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Fourche Creek Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Ripley County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fourche Creek Lake | A | 13.6 ft | - | 9 µg/L |
| 2 | Ripley County Lake | B | 6.6 ft | - | 11 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.