Burke County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 2 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Burke 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 average is C — the middle of the rubric, with one or two lakes pulling the average up or down depending on year.
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. Northgate Dam Lake (B) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Burke County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Northgate Dam Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Burke County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northgate Dam Lake | B | 9.4 ft | - | - |
| 2 | Short Creek Dam Lake | C | 3.8 ft | - | - |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.