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

Washburn County Lake Quality

Wisconsin, 161 lakes, measured by Wisconsin DNR

Washburn County in Wisconsin carries 161 monitored lakes — one of the lake-richer counties in our dataset. Coverage that dense usually reflects active lake-association sampling alongside state-agency monitoring. 27 of those lakes carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. Most monitored lakes in Washburn County carry favourable nutrient and algae readings for Wisconsin.

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. Balsam Lake has the lowest nutrient and algae readings in the county.

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Top-rated places to stay near Washburn County

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Quick Answers for Washburn County

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

Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Balsam Lake — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.

Fishing in Washburn County

Washburn County Fishing Guide

Fish species and the cleanest lakes in Washburn County

DNR Reports (2)

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

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

2023
Minong Flowage comprehensive survey, 2023
Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)
2023
Stone Lake comprehensive survey, 2023
Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)

All Lakes in Washburn County

161 lakes · 27 ranked on readings, 134 without enough sampling27 lakes ranked on readings · 134 without enough sampling, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (134)

#	Lake	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	Balsam LakeWashburn	8.8 ft	19.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
2	Deep LakeWashburn	7.5 ft	16.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	✓ Public
3	Bass LakeWashburn	16 ft	12.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	31 ft	✓ Public
4	Long LakeWashburn	9.5 ft	17.3 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
5	Stone LakeWashburn	23 ft	11.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	49 ft	✓ Public
6	North Twin LakeWashburn	9 ft	13.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
7	Lower Mckenzie LakeWashburn	11 ft	18.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
8	Shell LakeWashburn	16 ft	15.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	✓ Public
9	Bean LakeWashburn	10 ft	15.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	✓ Public
10	Horseshoe LakeWashburn	13 ft	12.6 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	✓ Public
11	Tozer LakeWashburn	16 ft	13.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	53 ft	✓ Public
12	Mclain LakeWashburn	9.5 ft	14.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
13	Middle Kimball LakeWashburn	16 ft	13.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	77 ft	Not recorded
14	Matthews LakeWashburn	13.3 ft	13.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	✓ Public
15	Lake NancyWashburn	14 ft	13.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	39 ft	✓ Public
16	South Twin LakeWashburn	14 ft	11.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	29 ft	✓ Public
17	Gilmore LakeWashburn	10 ft	16.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	✓ Public
18	Upper Kimball LakeWashburn	10 ft	20.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
19	Big Mckenzie LakeWashburn	10 ft	16.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	71 ft	✓ Public
20	Lower Kimball LakeWashburn	6 ft	18.5 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	✓ Public
21	Spooner LakeWashburn	6.5 ft	22.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	✓ Public
22	Slim LakeWashburn	15.7 ft	13 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	42 ft	✓ Public
23	Yellow River Flowage LakeWashburn	10 ft	23.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	17 ft	✓ Public
24	Birch LakeWashburn	5.5 ft	26.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	73 ft	✓ Public
25	Potato LakeWashburn	9.9 ft	26.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
26	Minong Flowage LakeWashburn	3.5 ft	37.2 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	✓ Public
27	Kekegama LakeWashburn	5.2 ft	26.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	✓ Public
	Spider LakeWashburn	9.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Silver LakeWashburn	11 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	28 ft	✓ Public
	Big Bass LakeWashburn	17.9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	✓ Public
	Bass LakeWashburn	14 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	✓ Public
	Island LakeWashburn	14.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	44 ft	✓ Public
	Mud LakeWashburn	No recent samples	70.7 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	✓ Public
	Loon LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	63 ft	✓ Public
	Little Sand LakeWashburn	12 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	✓ Public
	Ripley LakeWashburn	8.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	✓ Public
	Middle Twin Lake atWashburn	7.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Spring LakeWashburn	No recent samples	14.8 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	✓ Public
	Unnamed LakeWashburn	6.5 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	✓ Public
	Unnamed LakeWashburn	3.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	3 ft	Not recorded
	Unnamed LakeWashburn	No recent samples	28.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Dunn LakeWashburn	14.2 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39 ft	✓ Public
	No Mans LakeWashburn	9 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	✓ Public
	Gull LakeWashburn	11 ft	11.1 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	✓ Public
	Trego LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	✓ Public
	Long Lake North ChannelWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	74 ft	✓ Public
	Beartrack LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	✓ Public
	Sand LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9 ft	✓ Public
	Mud LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Scovils LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	✓ Public
	Sleepy Eye LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	✓ Public
	Sherman LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Banks LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Cloverleaf LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	Not recorded
	Chicog LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	✓ Public
	East Wilcox LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Pear LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	✓ Public
	Hoinville LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	Oak LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	✓ Public
	Deer LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	Not recorded
	Goose LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Sunfish LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	✓ Public
	Casey LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	Not recorded
	Leisure LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26 ft	✓ Public
	Little Casey LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	Not recorded
	Lincoln LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	✓ Public
	McKinley LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	Jerry LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	5 ft	Not recorded
	Grass LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	4 ft	Not recorded
	Cable LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	✓ Public
	Goose LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Cyclone LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	18 ft	Not recorded
	Dock LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	Not recorded
	Ellsworth LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	✓ Public
	Wilkerson LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	Not recorded
	Rocky Ridge LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	Not recorded
	Long LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Welsh LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	Not recorded
	Grassy LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Pine LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Leach LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	Not recorded
	Shallow LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
	Offers LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	40 ft	Not recorded
	Chain LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Round LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
	Shallow LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9.8 ft	Not recorded
	Little Kekegama LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	18 ft	Not recorded
	Yechout LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	McCune LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	37 ft	Not recorded
	Fenton LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	Not recorded
	Kingelm LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Monday LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	Haugen LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	Not recorded
	Lazy Island LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	52 ft	Not recorded
	Berry LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	43 ft	Not recorded
	Loon LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	49.2 ft	Not recorded
	Nice LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Sugarbush LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	18 ft	Not recorded
	Balsam LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	49 ft	Not recorded
	Chippanazie LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
	Matson LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	59 ft	Not recorded
	Loyhead LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
	Spring LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	✓ Public
	Devils LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Green LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32 ft	Not recorded
	Dugan LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	35 ft	Not recorded
	Slim Creek FlowageWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	✓ Public
	West LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27 ft	Not recorded
	Wolf LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	51 ft	✓ Public
	Superior LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	22 ft	✓ Public
	Peufald LakesWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lost LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Spider LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	49 ft	Not recorded
	Nick LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	79 ft	Not recorded
	Elbow LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27.2 ft	✓ Public
	Red LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	75 ft	✓ Public
	Loon LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	46 ft	✓ Public
	Bass LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	66 ft	Not recorded
	MacRae LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	45 ft	Not recorded
	Ole LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	Not recorded
	Little Mud LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	Not recorded
	Elizabeth LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	Not recorded
	Twin LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Leesome LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	53 ft	Not recorded
	Seymour LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
	Watson LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	Not recorded
	Stauffer LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Harmon LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	33 ft	✓ Public
	Baker LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	21 ft	Not recorded
	Oak LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	50 ft	Not recorded
	Moody LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	30 ft	✓ Public
	Ripley LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25 ft	Not recorded
	Stone LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9 ft	Not recorded
	Little Devil LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	34 ft	✓ Public
	Big Devil LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	75 ft	Not recorded
	Miller LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29 ft	✓ Public
	Pavlas LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	45 ft	✓ Public
	Browns LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	44 ft	Not recorded
	Little Ripley LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	14 ft	✓ Public
	Randall LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	Not recorded
	Little Cable LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Little Spooner LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Dilley LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Spring LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6 ft	Not recorded
	Whalen LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	✓ Public
	Trego LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36 ft	Not recorded
	Mack LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13 ft	Not recorded
	Gardner LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15 ft	Not recorded
	Mud LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Beaver LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16 ft	✓ Public
	Stanberry LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	7 ft	Not recorded
	Lost LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	10 ft	Not recorded
	Sugar Bush LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	20 ft	Not recorded
	Tranus LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	12 ft	✓ Public
	Hay LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	9 ft	Not recorded
	Derosier LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	✓ Public
	Lakeside LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	8 ft	Not recorded
	Little Bass LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Pokegama LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	Rice LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	11 ft	Not recorded
	Miles LakeWashburn	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19 ft	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.