Lincoln County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 21 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Lincoln County's 21 graded lakes fall in the moderate-density bracket for Wisconsin. The county-level average smooths over real differences — a single agricultural watershed near the southwest corner can pull the average down even if the rest of the county runs clean. 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 Long Lake (A); the most-stressed is Tug Lake (C).
Quick Answers for Lincoln County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Long Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
DNR Reports (2)
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries Survey resources for lakes in Lincoln County. browse all reports →
- 2025Pine Lake spring summary report, 2025Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
- 2024Seven Island Lake spring summary report, 2024Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
All Lakes in Lincoln County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake | A | 47.7 ft | 64 ft | 12.4 µg/L |
| 2 | Jersey City Flowage Lake | A | 16.4 ft | - | - |
| 3 | Bass Lake | A | 41 ft | 40 ft | 13.5 µg/L |
| 4 | Clear Lake | A | 59.1 ft | 45 ft | 10.6 µg/L |
| 5 | Deer Lake | A | 24.6 ft | - | - |
| 6 | Mary Lake | A | 68.9 ft | 42 ft | - |
| 7 | Hilts Lake | A | 45.9 ft | 64 ft | - |
| 8 | Jersey Flowage Lake | A | 18 ft | 20 ft | - |
| 9 | Seven Island Lake | A | 45.9 ft | 31 ft | 9.9 µg/L |
| 10 | Halfmoon Lake | A | 23.1 ft | 14 ft | 19.4 µg/L |
| 11 | Clara Lake-Deep Hole | A | 78.1 ft | 50 ft | - |
| 12 | Hilderbrand Lake | A | 41.8 ft | 24 ft | - |
| 13 | Lake Buteau | A | 63.7 ft | 50 ft | 10.2 µg/L |
| 14 | Lake Pesobic | A | 23 ft | - | 22.2 µg/L |
| 15 | Pickerel Lake | B | - | 14 ft | 20.3 µg/L |
| 16 | Bridge Lake | B | 14.8 ft | - | - |
| 17 | Lake Mohawksin | B | 13.1 ft | 25 ft | 34.7 µg/L |
| 18 | Lake Alice | B | 13.1 ft | - | 34.4 µg/L |
| 19 | Tug Lake | C | 6.6 ft | 21 ft | 32.3 µg/L |
| 20 | Spirit River Flowage Lake | C | 6.6 ft | 25 ft | 49.1 µg/L |
| 21 | Alexander Lake | C | 4 ft | 36 ft | 46.2 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.