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LakeQuality
C

Amik Lake

Vilas County, WisconsinEutrophic

The LakeGrade rubric puts Amik Lake at a C: clarity at 9.2 ft, 39 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 51 signal an intermediate trophic state. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. At only 8 ft deep, Amik Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. At 141 acres, Amik Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Within the 202 graded lakes of Vilas County, Amik Lake sits at rank 194, near the bottom of the county list.

Amik Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 6 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-08-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

Water Quality Grade: C, Fair

Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 38.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)9.2 ftC
Phosphorus38.9 µg/LC
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)51Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth8 ft
Surface Area141 acres

Fish Species

Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.

→ Best fishing times for Amik Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Amik Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

Amik Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Invasive Species

Chinese Mystery SnailRusty Crayfish

Water Quality Trend: Stable

Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-0.096 m/yr6
Phosphorus Improving-1.07 µg/L/yr6
See year-by-year chart →

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #194 of 202 lakes in Vilas County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Amik Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Vilas County

Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1996. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).

DNR Assessment
Good · Shallow Lowland lake
Trophic State Index 61 (eutrophic) · 5-year average

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Largemouth Bass(Common)Walleye(Common)Musky(Present)Panfish(Present)Smallmouth Bass(Present)Northern Pike(Present)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes

Most recent sample: 2025-08-19

Monitoring stations: 1