Late afternoon sun over Slim Lake, scattering a bright path across wind-textured water

Bayfield County Lake Quality

Wisconsin, 147 lakes, measured by Wisconsin DNR

Bayfield County has 147 monitored lakes, enough that within-county variation matters as much as the county average. Some are deep glacial basins, others are shallow agricultural-watershed waters, and the measurements reflect that mix. 24 of those lakes carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. Most monitored lakes in Bayfield County carry favourable nutrient and algae readings for Wisconsin.

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. Cranberry Lake has the lowest nutrient and algae readings in the county.

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Quick Answers for Bayfield County

Cleanest lakes in Bayfield County →Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin →Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin →

Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Cranberry Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.

Fishing in Bayfield County

Bayfield County Fishing Guide

Fish species and the cleanest lakes in Bayfield County

DNR Reports (20)

Wisconsin DNR Fisheries Survey resources for lakes in Bayfield County. browse all reports →

These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).

2025
Eau Claire, Middle spring shocking survey, 2025
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
2025
Eau Claire, Upper spring shocking survey, 2025
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
2025
Lake Namekagon fishery management plan, 2025
Management Plan · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
2025
Lake Owen spring shocking survey, 2025
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
2025
Survival and return on investment of stocked walleye in Bayfield and Douglas counties, 2025
Walleye Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
2024
Cable Wiley lakes spring shocking survey, 2024
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
2024
Diamond Lake comprehensive survey, 2024
Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
2024
Long Lake spring shocking survey, 2024
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
2024
Pickerel Lake spring shocking survey, 2024
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
2024
Siskiwit Lake spring shocking survey, 2024
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
2023
Delta Lake spring shocking survey, 2023
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)
2023
Island Lake spring shocking survey, 2023
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)
2022
George Lake spring shocking survey, 2022
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
2018
Diamond Lake comprehensive fisheries survey, 2018
Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2018 (PDF)
2017
Upper Eau Claire comprehensive fisheries survey, 2017
Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2017 (PDF)
2014
Lake Owen comprehensive fisheries survey, 2014
Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2014 (PDF)
2014
Middle Eau Claire comprehensive fisheries survey, 2014
Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2014 (PDF)
—
Biological and social dynamics of the White River brown trout fishery, 2014-2015
Trout Survey · WI DNR (PDF)
—
Lake Namekagon fishery survey, 2021-2022
Fisheries Survey · WI DNR (PDF)
—
Pike Chain of Lakes fishery survey report, 2023-2024
Fisheries Survey · WI DNR (PDF)

All Lakes in Bayfield County

147 lakes · 24 ranked on readings, 123 without enough sampling24 lakes ranked on readings · 123 without enough sampling, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (123)

#	Lake	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	Cranberry LakeBayfield	9 ft	18.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	✓ Public
2	Long LakeBayfield	16.2 ft	13.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	✓ Public
3	Samoset LakeBayfield	15 ft	13.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	Not recorded
4	Lower Eau Claire LakeBayfield	14.1 ft	13 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	41 ft	Not recorded
5	Eagle LakeBayfield	17 ft	14.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	52 ft	Not recorded
6	Diamond LakeBayfield	13 ft	11.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	83 ft	✓ Public
7	Tahkodah LakeBayfield	9.7 ft	13.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
8	Cable LakeBayfield	15.5 ft	14.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
9	Lake WilipyroBayfield	10.5 ft	14 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
10	Half Moon LakeBayfield	8 ft	17.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	✓ Public
11	Upper Eau Claire LakeBayfield	18.7 ft	11.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	92 ft	✓ Public
12	Robinson LakeBayfield	13.5 ft	15.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	✓ Public
13	Pigeon LakeBayfield	13 ft	13.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	✓ Public
14	Hammil LakeBayfield	14.6 ft	12.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	47 ft	Not recorded
15	Middle Eau Claire LakeBayfield	18.2 ft	12.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	66 ft	✓ Public
16	Lake OwenBayfield	24.6 ft	12.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	95 ft	✓ Public
17	Taylor Lake-Deep HoleBayfield	6 ft	19.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	✓ Public
18	Sand Bar LakeBayfield	19 ft	9.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	49 ft	Not recorded
19	Tomahawk LakeBayfield	14 ft	21.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	42 ft	✓ Public
20	Siskiwit LakeBayfield	No recent samples	24 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	✓ Public
21	Bony LakeBayfield	19.8 ft	30 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	55 ft	✓ Public
22	Bladder LakeBayfield	18 ft	30 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	✓ Public
23	East Wetland Inlet To Lake ReeBayfield	No recent samples	28.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
24	Bear LakeBayfield	2 ft	48.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Bass LakeBayfield	5.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	43 ft	✓ Public
	Breakfast LakeBayfield	12.5 ft	10.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	Not recorded
	Anderson LakeBayfield	9.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	46 ft	Not recorded
	Kelly LakeBayfield	14.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	Not recorded
	Island LakeBayfield	17 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	51 ft	✓ Public
	Duck LakeBayfield	1.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
	Crystal LakeBayfield	16.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29 ft	✓ Public
	Turtle LakeBayfield	5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Millicent LakeBayfield	23 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Twin Lake NorthBayfield	10 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	George LakeBayfield	14 ft	10.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	50 ft	✓ Public
	Hart LakeBayfield	21.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	54 ft	Not recorded
	Flynn LakeBayfield	9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9 ft	Not recorded
	Clay LakeBayfield	3.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	45 ft	✓ Public
	Wishbone LakeBayfield	4.8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	Not recorded
	Bufo LakeBayfield	10 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
	Reynard LakeBayfield	10.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	55 ft	✓ Public
	Buskey Bay LakeBayfield	21.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	51 ft	✓ Public
	Lester LakeBayfield	13.1 ft	10.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	50 ft	Not recorded
	Stratton PondsBayfield	9.8 ft	20.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	✓ Public
	Inch LakeBayfield	14.1 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	Not recorded
	Twin Bear LakeBayfield	19.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	59 ft	✓ Public
	Namekagon LakeBayfield	No recent samples	11.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	✓ Public
	Nc Cheq Bay LakeBayfield	No recent samples	5.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Wiley LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Beaver LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Buffalo LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake FiveBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12.1 ft	Not recorded
	McCloud LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Patsy LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	Not recorded
	East Eightmile LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Wilderness LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	17.4 ft	Not recorded
	Lake RuthBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	Not recorded
	Fire LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Moon LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Mill Pond LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Crystal LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Deep LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	Jones LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Ahmeek LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	Not recorded
	Iron LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Roger LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
	Bismarck LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Spider LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	Not recorded
	Mullenhoff LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
	Lost LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	Perch LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Island LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	Not recorded
	Topside LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Loon LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	Not recorded
	Angus LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Spider LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	Camp One LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Hay LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	Everett LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	55 ft	Not recorded
	Lake DeltaBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
	Phantom LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
	Bear LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
	Finger LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
	Crooked LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Hildur LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Five Island LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	McCarry LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	Bass LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Muskellunge LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	Not recorded
	Silver LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Canthook LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	45.9 ft	Not recorded
	Swede LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Spirit LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Basswood LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Bellevue LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Kern LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Anodanta LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Star LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	55 ft	✓ Public
	Arrowhead LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	Not recorded
	Perch LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	77 ft	✓ Public
	Armstrong LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Flynn LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Cisco LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	105 ft	✓ Public
	Esox LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	48 ft	Not recorded
	Drummond LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	49 ft	✓ Public
	Mill Pond LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Roger LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake SixteenBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Wabigon LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Twin LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Ellison LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	18 ft	Not recorded
	Henderson LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Birch LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Pickerel LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	38 ft	✓ Public
	Sweet LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	38 ft	Not recorded
	Totagatic LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Ole LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Big Brook LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Henry LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Rosa LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Picture LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Price LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	Not recorded
	Perry LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Hidden LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Rock LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Cranberry LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	Not recorded
	Trapper LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	31 ft	Not recorded
	Bass LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	31 ft	Not recorded
	Lake KnottingBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Southwest LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Sugar Bush LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Northeast LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Bass LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	✓ Public
	Porcupine LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Club LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Marengo LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Indian LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Coffee LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	Not recorded
	Atkins LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	80 ft	✓ Public
	Bullhead LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Chippewa LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	✓ Public
	Little Bass LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
	Ghost LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Dells LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	42 ft	Not recorded
	White Bass LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Long LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
	Bibon LakeBayfield	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded

NR = no nutrient or algae reading on record. The measurements are published as the authority reports them. Where the data comes from.

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Source: the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. See data sources.