Richland County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 2 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
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 average is C — the middle of the rubric, with one or two lakes pulling the average up or down depending on year.
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 (A); the most-stressed is Garner Lake (D).
Quick Answers for Richland County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Cruson Slough Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, 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 | A | 25.1 ft | - | 28.9 µg/L |
| 2 | Garner Lake | D | 4.3 ft | 8 ft | 121 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.