Amik Lake

On the scoring rubric Amik Lake grades a D: clarity at 2.8 ft and 39 µg/L of phosphorus keep it in the lower bracket for Vilas County. Clarity is the limiting factor — phosphorus is reasonable but suspended particles or algal cells keep water transparency below Wisconsin norms.

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 191 graded lakes of Vilas County, Amik Lake sits at rank 177, 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.