Richland County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 2 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Richland County has 2 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county-wide average grade is D — water quality issues are persistent across most of the monitored basins. 1 lakes fall into the F bracket outright.
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 Cruson Slough Lake (B); the most-stressed is Garner Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Richland County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Cruson Slough Lake, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
DNR Reports (1)
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries Survey resources for lakes in Richland County. browse all reports →
- 2019Lee Lake comprehensive survey, 2019Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2019 (PDF)
All Lakes in Richland County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cruson Slough Lake | B | 7.6 ft | - | 28.9 µg/L |
| 2 | Garner Lake | F | 1.3 ft | 8 ft | 121 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.