Ward County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 4 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Ward County has 4 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. Ward County averages to a C. The distribution behind that average matters more than the letter: a few stressed lakes versus many decent ones can produce the same average as the inverse.
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. Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake (B) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Ward County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Velva Sportsmans 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 Ward County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake | B | 13.6 ft | - | - |
| 2 | North Carlson Lake | B | 3.7 ft | - | - |
| 3 | Hiddenwood Lake | C | 3.1 ft | - | - |
| 4 | Lake Darling | D | 5.8 ft | - | 395 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.