Alexander Lake
Alexander Lake in Lincoln County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 46.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 36 ft. Surface area: 618 acres.
- Clarity
- 4 ft
- Max depth
- 36 ft
- Area
- 618 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Alexander Lake →
Next lake in Lincoln County
Alexander Lake is a 618-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Lincoln County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 36 feet. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Musky, Panfish, and Largemouth Bass. Public access is available with 4 public boat landings. Compared to the 12 other monitored lakes in Lincoln County, Alexander Lake ranks #13 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2022-09-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Murky, only visible to about 4 ft. Phosphorus level: 46.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 46.2 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Alexander Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Alexander Lake in Lincoln County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Alexander Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Alexander Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 36 ft |
| Surface Area | 618 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Recreation & Access
- Otts ParkPublic
- Council Grounds State ParkPublic
- Alexander Lake 2Public
- Alexander LakeSemi-private
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Alexander Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 3 stations on file (most recent sample 2022).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Alexander Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Alexander (completed 1913), built primarily for hydroelectric on the Wisconsin River; gravity-type dam, 40 ft tall and 1,481 ft long.
- Surface area
- 803 ac
- Normal storage
- 5,200 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 6,600 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 2,520 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
All listed purposes: Hydroelectric;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID WI00748 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Alexander Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10007168 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.89 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #13 of 13 lakes in Lincoln County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Alexander Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Lincoln County
Frequently asked questions about Alexander Lake
What is the water quality grade for Alexander Lake?
- Alexander Lake in Lincoln County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 46.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 36 ft. Surface area: 618 acres.
Is Alexander Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Alexander Lake has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Alexander Lake?
- Alexander Lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet. The lake covers 618 acres.
What fish are in Alexander Lake?
- Fish species found in Alexander Lake include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye. Alexander Lake is located in Lincoln County, Wisconsin.
Are there boat ramps on Alexander Lake?
- Alexander Lake has 4 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Otts Park, Council Grounds State Park, Alexander Lake 2, Alexander Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Alexander Lake across LakeGrade
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Wisconsin
Fish species and best lakes in Lincoln County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Wisconsin River Watershed, ranked by water quality
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Wisconsin's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Alexander Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Alexander Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
8 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX8 samples · 2022
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory