B
Oconto County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 60 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Oconto County in Wisconsin carries 60 graded lakes — one of the lake-richer counties in our dataset. Coverage that dense usually reflects active lake-association sampling alongside state-agency monitoring. The county-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
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. Boulder Lake (B) is the cleanest in the county.
Loading map…
Where to stay near Oconto County
Top-rated places to stay near Oconto 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 Oconto County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Oconto County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Oconto County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Boulder Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
Fishing in Oconto County
DNR Reports (32)
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries Survey resources for lakes in Oconto County. browse all reports →
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- 2025Ucil Lake panfish netting survey, 2025Netting Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
- 2024Chute Pond comprehensive summary report, 2024Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
- 2022Anderson Lake comprehensive summary report, 2022Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
- 2022Maiden Lake comprehensive summary report, 2022Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
- 2022Wheeler Lake comprehensive summary report, 2022Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
- 2021Boulder Lake comprehensive summary report, 2021Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2021 (PDF)
- 2021N Fork Thunder River trend survey, 2021Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2021 (PDF)
- 2020Pickerel Chain summary report, 2020Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2020 (PDF)
- 2020White Potato Lake creel survey, 2020Creel Survey · WI DNR · 2020 (PDF)
- 2018First South Branch Oconto River trend survey, 2018Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2018 (PDF)
- 2018Oconto Falls Pond comprehensive survey, 2018Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2018 (PDF)
- 2017Bear and Munger lakes comprehensive survey, 2017Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2017 (PDF)
- 2017Machickanee Lake comprehensive survey 2017Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2017 (PDF)
- 2017South Branch Oconto River information sheet 2017Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2017 (PDF)
- 2016Boot Lake comprehensive survey 2016Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
- 2016First South Branch Oconto River fisheries information sheet 2016Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
- 2016Rost Lake comprehensive survey 2016Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
- 2016Star Lake electrofishing survey, 2016Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
- 2016Surprise Lake comprehensive survey, 2016Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
- 2016Townsend Lake comprehensive survey, 2016Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
- 2016White Lake spring survey 2016Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
- 2015Leigh Flowage comprehensive fishery survey 2015Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015North Fork Thunder River trout survey 2015Trout Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015Paya Lake fishery survey 2015Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015Reservoir Pond comprehensive fishery survey 2015Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015Shay Lake fishery survey 2015Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2015South Branch Oconto River fisheries information sheet 2015Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2015 (PDF)
- 2014Kelly Lake comprehensive fisheries survey, 2014Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2014 (PDF)
- 2014Maiden Lake comprehensive fishery survey 2014Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2014 (PDF)
- 2014Wheeler Lake comprehensive fisheries survey, 2014Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2014 (PDF)
- 2013Chute Pond fisheries survey, 2013Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2013 (PDF)
- 2009Bear and Munger lakes fisheries surveys 2009Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2009 (PDF)
All Lakes in Oconto County
60 lakes · 39 graded, 21 not rated39 graded lakes · 21 not rated, hidden
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Max Depth | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BBoulder LakeOconto | B | 11 ft | 13.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 11 ft | ✓ Public |
| 2 | BPickerel LakeOconto | B | 8 ft | 15.6 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 10 ft | ✓ Public |
| 3 | BRound LakeOconto | B | 16.8 ft | 13.8 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 31 ft | ✓ Public |
| 4 | BBass LakeOconto | B | 16.8 ft | 10.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 40 ft | ✓ Public |
| 5 | BExplosion LakeOconto | B | 17 ft | 14.4 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 10 ft | Not recorded |
| 6 | BBerry LakeOconto | B | 7.5 ft | 15.4 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 27 ft | ✓ Public |
| 7 | BLittle Pickerel LakeOconto | B | 11 ft | 16.9 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 20 ft | Not recorded |
| 8 | BBear LakeOconto | B | 9 ft | 13.8 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 20 ft | ✓ Public |
| 9 | BCrooked LakeOconto | B | 11 ft | 11.8 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 37 ft | ✓ Public |
| 10 | BAnderson LakeOconto | B | 10 ft | 14.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 40 ft | ✓ Public |
| 11 | BArchibald LakeOconto | B | 17.8 ft | 10.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 50 ft | ✓ Public |
| 12 | BKelly LakeOconto | B | 10.5 ft | 14.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 41 ft | ✓ Public |
| 13 | BPaya LakeOconto | B | 20 ft | 12 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 40 ft | ✓ Public |
| 14 | BGrindle LakeOconto | B | 9 ft | 12.2 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 23 ft | ✓ Public |
| 15 | BBoot LakeOconto | B | 21.5 ft | 11.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 38 ft | ✓ Public |
| 16 | BReservoir PondOconto | B | 9.5 ft | 21.5 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 16 ft | ✓ Public |
| 17 | BStar LakeOconto | B | 17 ft | 14.2 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 21 ft | ✓ Public |
| 18 | BRanch LakeOconto | B | 12.5 ft | 14.4 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 44 ft | ✓ Public |
| 19 | BSurprise LakeOconto | B | 8 ft | 13.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 20 ft | ✓ Public |
| 20 | BSmoke LakeOconto | B | 7.6 ft | 12.8 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 5 ft | Not recorded |
| 21 | BLittle Horn LakeOconto | B | 13.3 ft | 14.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 25 ft | ✓ Public |
| 22 | BBear Paw LakeOconto | B | 16 ft | 11.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 20 ft | ✓ Public |
| 23 | BShay LakeOconto | B | 15 ft | 14.2 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 36 ft | ✓ Public |
| 24 | BHorn LakeOconto | B | 8.8 ft | 14.5 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 11 ft | ✓ Public |
| 25 | BPine Ridge LakeOconto | B | 17 ft | 11 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 30 ft | Not recorded |
| 26 | BWhite Potato LakeOconto | B | 6.5 ft | 17 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 11 ft | ✓ Public |
| 27 | BMunger LakeOconto | B | 7 ft | 15.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 19 ft | ✓ Public |
| 28 | BMaiden LakeOconto | B | 23 ft | 10 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 52 ft | ✓ Public |
| 29 | BWheeler LakeOconto | B | 26 ft | 11.9 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 35 ft | ✓ Public |
| 30 | BBoundary LakeOconto | B | 14 ft | 12.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 19 ft | ✓ Public |
| 31 | BTownsend Flowage LakeOconto | B | No recent samples | 14.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 32 | CPickerel LakeOconto | C | 4.5 ft | 27 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 33 | CChute Pond atOconto | C | 6 ft | 27.6 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 19 ft | ✓ Public |
| 34 | CMachickanee Flowage LakeOconto | C | 3 ft | 33.4 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 21 ft | ✓ Public |
| 35 | CWaubee LakeOconto | C | 13.5 ft | 26.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 23 ft | ✓ Public |
| 36 | DPorcupine Lake-Deep HoleOconto | D | 6.5 ft | 54.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 20 ft | ✓ Public |
| 37 | DPeterson LakeOconto | D | 3.5 ft | 129.5 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 56 ft | Not recorded |
| 38 | DHoerth LakeOconto | D | 5.5 ft | 108 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 23 ft | Not recorded |
| 39 | DKlaus LakeOconto | D | 3 ft | 92.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 50 ft | Not recorded |
| NRGreen LakeOconto | NR | 18.3 ft | 17.9 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 25 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRGrignon LakeOconto | NR | 6 ft | 22.9 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRBass LakeOconto | NR | 6 ft | 15.9 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 11 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRBass LakeOconto | NR | No recent samples | 9.5 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 25 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRChain LakeOconto | NR | 13.5 ft | 9.5 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 42 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRLong LakeOconto | NR | 14.5 ft | 10.2 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRShadow LakeOconto | NR | 6 ft | 18 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 7 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRCooley LakeOconto | NR | 5 ft | 39.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 42 ft | Not recorded | |
| NRWhite LakeOconto | NR | 15.7 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRWiscobee LakeOconto | NR | 5.7 ft | 22 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 40 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRPecor LakeOconto | NR | 13.5 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRNeligan LakeOconto | NR | 15 ft | 11.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 23 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRPorcupine LakeOconto | NR | 10.5 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| NRHalfmoon LakeOconto | NR | 17 ft | 11.8 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 38 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRDeadman LakeOconto | NR | 14.1 ft | 19.8 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 45 ft | Not recorded | |
| NRChristie LakeOconto | NR | 3 ft | 13.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 10 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRSunrise LakeOconto | NR | 14 ft | 12.6 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 32 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRMoody LakeOconto | NR | 5 ft | 44.1 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRFinnegan LakeOconto | NR | 10 ft | 15.3 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 38 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRGilkey LakeOconto | NR | 6 ft | 10.4 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 6 ft | ✓ Public | |
| NRLittle Archibald LakeOconto | NR | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 65 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 Oconto 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.