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

Polk County Lake Quality

Wisconsin, 151 lakes, measured by Wisconsin DNR

Polk County in Wisconsin carries 151 monitored lakes — one of the lake-richer counties in our dataset. Coverage that dense usually reflects active lake-association sampling alongside state-agency monitoring. 54 of those lakes carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. The county's readings sit in the middle of the Wisconsin range, with one or two lakes pulling the average up or down depending on year.

The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the readings sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest measured lake is Wind Lake.

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Top-rated places to stay near Polk County

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Quick Answers for Polk County

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

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

Fishing in Polk County

Polk County Fishing Guide

Fish species and the cleanest lakes in Polk County

DNR Reports (8)

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

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

2025
Deer Lake spring shocking survey, 2025
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
2024
Apple River Flowage spring shocking survey, 2024
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
2024
Bone Lake spring shocking survey, 2024
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
2022
Big and Little Blake lakes spring shocking survey, 2022
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
2022
Big Butternut Lake fisheries survey, 2022
Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
2022
Herby Lake spring shocking survey, 2022
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
2022
Little Butternut Lake spring shocking survey, 2022
Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2022 (PDF)
—
Bone Lake muskellunge survey, 2024-2025
Musky Survey · WI DNR (PDF)

All Lakes in Polk County

151 lakes · 54 ranked on readings, 97 without enough sampling54 lakes ranked on readings · 97 without enough sampling, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (97)

#	Lake	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	Wind LakePolk	10 ft	17.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	✓ Public
2	Clear LakePolk	15.5 ft	13.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	✓ Public
3	Bone LakePolk	8 ft	19.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	43 ft	✓ Public
4	Crescent LakePolk	4.5 ft	17.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	43 ft	✓ Public
5	Pipe LakePolk	11.5 ft	14.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	68 ft	✓ Public
6	Mud LakePolk	4.3 ft	24.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
7	North Twin LakePolk	No recent samples	10.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	✓ Public
8	Big LakePolk	9 ft	21.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	✓ Public
9	Deer LakePolk	16 ft	16.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	46 ft	✓ Public
10	Paulsen LakePolk	12 ft	12.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
11	Ward LakePolk	6 ft	22.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	43 ft	✓ Public
12	Church Pine LakePolk	13 ft	13.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	45 ft	✓ Public
13	Half Moon LakePolk	15.3 ft	13.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	60 ft	✓ Public
14	Horseshoe LakePolk	8.5 ft	22.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
15	Pine LakePolk	13 ft	13.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	34 ft	✓ Public
16	Clarey LakePolk	4.3 ft	18.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	49 ft	✓ Public
17	Unnamed LakePolk	5 ft	22.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
18	Antler LakePolk	13.4 ft	15 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	✓ Public
19	Sandhill LakePolk	8.2 ft	19.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
20	King LakePolk	11.5 ft	20.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	✓ Public
21	Ember LakePolk	8.2 ft	20.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
22	Dinger LakePolk	6.2 ft	22 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
23	Dace LakePolk	No recent samples	21.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
24	Rice LakePolk	4.5 ft	25.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	✓ Public
25	Long LakePolk	5.9 ft	25.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	✓ Public
26	Long LakePolk	5 ft	27.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	44 ft	✓ Public
27	Big Round LakePolk	5 ft	27 µg/L	6.9 µg/L	No recent samples	17 ft	✓ Public
28	Loveless LakePolk	8.5 ft	28.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
29	Lost LakePolk	6 ft	25.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
30	North Pipe LakePolk	5.8 ft	29.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	✓ Public
31	Bear Trap LakePolk	8.8 ft	24.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	✓ Public
32	Wapogasset LakePolk	6 ft	30.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	✓ Public
33	Camelia LakePolk	6 ft	32.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	✓ Public
34	Mckenzie LakePolk	7 ft	26 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	✓ Public
35	Little Bass LakePolk	5.5 ft	37.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
36	Pogo LakePolk	5 ft	38.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
37	Margaret LakePolk	15.5 ft	30 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	✓ Public
38	Lower Pine LakePolk	21 ft	30 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	102 ft	✓ Public
39	Cedar LakePolk	6.1 ft	42.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	✓ Public
40	Long Trade LakePolk	3 ft	84.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	✓ Public
41	Mud LakePolk	5.2 ft	129 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
42	Mud LakePolk	2 ft	93 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	✓ Public
43	Big Butternut LakePolk	4.5 ft	62.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	✓ Public
44	White Ash LakePolk	2.5 ft	68.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	9 ft	✓ Public
45	North White Ash LakePolk	5 ft	58.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	9 ft	✓ Public
46	Black Brook Flowage LakePolk	10.5 ft	46.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	✓ Public
47	Largon LakePolk	2.5 ft	55.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	✓ Public
48	Apple River Flowage LakePolk	5.9 ft	78.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	18 ft	✓ Public
49	Alabama LakePolk	1.7 ft	70.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	✓ Public
50	Little Blake LakePolk	3.5 ft	43.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	✓ Public
51	Magnor LakePolk	3.7 ft	57.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	✓ Public
52	Omer LakePolk	5 ft	66.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
53	Balsam Lake Little Balsam SitePolk	5.7 ft	42.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	✓ Public
54	Big Blake LakePolk	2.5 ft	59.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	✓ Public
	Round LakePolk	11.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	✓ Public
	Little Butternut LakePolk	3.7 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	✓ Public
	Pike LakePolk	No recent samples	13.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	✓ Public
	Swede LakePolk	13 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	✓ Public
	Diamond LakePolk	8.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Sand LakePolk	20 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Poplar LakePolk	12.7 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Vincent LakePolk	5.4 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	✓ Public
	Horse LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	✓ Public
	South Twin LakePolk	No recent samples	11.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	9 ft	✓ Public
	Freedom LakesPolk	9.5 ft	19.9 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	4 ft	Not recorded
	Lamont LakePolk	12 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	Unnamed LakePolk	1.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Lotus LakePolk	2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	✓ Public
	Moccasin LakePolk	9.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	31 ft	Not recorded
	Gibson LakePolk	No recent samples	60.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Murdock LakePolk	No recent samples	35.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Osceola LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	Not recorded
	Pleasant LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lower LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Peaslee LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Rice LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Poplar LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	34 ft	✓ Public
	Big LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Horseshoe LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	Not recorded
	McKeith LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	✓ Public
	Round LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	38 ft	Not recorded
	Bass LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	Mud LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9 ft	Not recorded
	Herby LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	✓ Public
	Tarbert LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	Not recorded
	Wolf LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Orr LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Grimhs LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	43 ft	Not recorded
	Blom LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	Not recorded
	Grass LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Diamond LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	✓ Public
	Knapp FlowagePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Martel LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	Not recorded
	Grenquist LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	Not recorded
	Johnson LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Wintergreen LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
	Grouse LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Clam Falls FlowagePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	✓ Public
	Mackie LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	5 ft	Not recorded
	Pine LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	53 ft	Not recorded
	Straight LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Somers LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	✓ Public
	Godfrey LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
	Hickory LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	Not recorded
	Coon LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	✓ Public
	Young LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Fountain LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	Not recorded
	Forsythe LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Little Mirror LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	Not recorded
	Little Pine LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Sandhill LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Elkins LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
	Twenty-Ninth LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Johnson LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	Not recorded
	Dahl LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Bass LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	✓ Public
	Andrus LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Footes LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lost LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
	Clara LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	71 ft	Not recorded
	Beautiful LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	Not recorded
	Townline LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Chelstrom LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Deedon LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Palmer LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Jim LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Twin LakesPolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake KenabeePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Wild Goose LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	✓ Public
	East LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	Not recorded
	Brusher LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	Not recorded
	Square LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Sand LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	58 ft	Not recorded
	Bear LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Pine LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	Not recorded
	Basswood LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Goose LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Horseshoe LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	Not recorded
	Paulsen LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	Rice LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	Not recorded
	North Fish LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	South Fish LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Island LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Trident LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Bone LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	5 ft	Not recorded
	Barbo LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Joel FlowagePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	✓ Public
	Little Horseshoe LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	Not recorded
	Little Round LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	Not recorded
	Silver LakePolk	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	Not recorded
	Mud LakePolk	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.