Manitowoc County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 18 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Manitowoc County's 18 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 average is C — the middle of the rubric, with one or two lakes pulling the average up or down depending on year.
A meaningful share of Manitowoc's lakes break 50 feet of depth, which matters because deep lakes hold cooler water all summer and resist the resuspended-sediment problems that plague shallow basins. The county's best-graded lake is Cedar Lake (B).
Where to stay near Manitowoc County
Top-rated places to stay near Manitowoc County
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Manitowoc County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Manitowoc County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Manitowoc County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Cedar Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
Fishing in Manitowoc County
DNR Reports (16)
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries Survey resources for lakes in Manitowoc County. browse all reports →
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- 2024Pigeon Lake comprehensive summary survey, 2024Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
- 2023Rockville Flowage spring shocking survey, 2023Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)
- 2023Silver Lake comprehensive summary survey, 2023Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)
- 2022Cedar Lake comprehensive survey, 2022Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
- 2018Shoe Lake electrofishing survey, 2018Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2018 (PDF)
- 2018Wilke Lake comprehensive survey 2018Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2018 (PDF)
- 2017Bullhead Lake comprehensive survey 2017Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2017 (PDF)
- 2017Long Lake comprehensive survey 2017Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2017 (PDF)
- 2016Cedar Lake comprehensive survey 2016Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
- 2015Carstens Lake spring survey 2015Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015East Twin River trout survey 2015Trout Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015Point Creek bass survey 2015Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015Silver Lake comprehensive survey 2015Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015Tuma Lake spring survey 2015Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2014Pigeon Lake Comprehensive Survey 2014Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2014 (PDF)
- 2006Manitowoc River Watershed Report, 2006Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2006 (PDF)
All Lakes in Manitowoc County
18 lakes · 16 graded, 2 not rated16 graded lakes · 2 not rated, hidden
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Max Depth | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BCedar LakeManitowoc | B | 10.2 ft | 17.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 21 ft | ✓ Public |
| 2 | BWilke LakeManitowoc | B | 7 ft | 17.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 21 ft | ✓ Public |
| 3 | BHartlaub LakeManitowoc | B | 5 ft | 35.8 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 60 ft | ✓ Public |
| 4 | BHorseshoe LakeManitowoc | B | 6.5 ft | 36.2 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 54 ft | ✓ Public |
| 5 | BSpring LakeManitowoc | B | 8 ft | 19.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 23 ft | ✓ Public |
| 6 | BPigeon LakeManitowoc | B | 9.3 ft | 15.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 62 ft | ✓ Public |
| 7 | BShoe LakeManitowoc | B | 7 ft | 26.6 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 34 ft | ✓ Public |
| 8 | BEnglish LakeManitowoc | B | 7.5 ft | 26.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 85 ft | ✓ Public |
| 9 | BTuma LakeManitowoc | B | 10 ft | 19 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 36 ft | ✓ Public |
| 10 | BKasbaum LakeManitowoc | B | 9.7 ft | 22.2 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 68 ft | Not recorded |
| 11 | CHarpt LakeManitowoc | C | 3.5 ft | 45.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 54 ft | ✓ Public |
| 12 | DLong LakeManitowoc | D | 1.9 ft | 90.4 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 38 ft | ✓ Public |
| 13 | DBullhead LakeManitowoc | D | 4.5 ft | 70.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 40 ft | ✓ Public |
| 14 | DGass LakeManitowoc | D | 6 ft | 61 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 24 ft | ✓ Public |
| 15 | DWeyers LakeManitowoc | D | 6 ft | 92.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 32 ft | ✓ Public |
| 16 | DCarstens LakeManitowoc | D | 5.2 ft | 89.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| NRSilver LakeManitowoc | NR | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRLittle Pigeon LakeManitowoc | NR | No recent samples | 20 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 14.5 ft | Not recorded |
NR = not rated: the monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar for a grade. That is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 (insufficient information), not a failing grade. How grading works.
Lake Match
Which lake suits how you actually use one?
Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of graded lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.
Other Counties in Wisconsin
See how Manitowoc County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 39 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.