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LakeQuality
A

Anderson Lake

Oconto County, WisconsinOligotrophic

Anderson Lake sits at the top of the Wisconsin DNR grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Wisconsin. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.

The lake's low TSI puts it in oligotrophic territory — the cleanest of the four trophic classes, but also the most vulnerable to nutrient-driven shifts. Anderson Lake reaches 40 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 177 acres, Anderson Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Within Oconto County's 66 graded waters, Anderson Lake sits at rank 12, near the top of the local distribution.

Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Anderson Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. Walleye are documented at Anderson Lake, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. Public access is available — the lake is on the Wisconsin DNR public-access list. 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 2025-09-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Crystal clear, you can see 32.8 ft down. Phosphorus level: 15 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 35.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)32.8 ftA
Phosphorus15 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)35Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth40 ft
Surface Area177 acres
Public AccessYes

Fish Species

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

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

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

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

Invasive Species

Banded Mystery SnailChinese Mystery SnailEurasian Water-MilfoilRusty Crayfish

Water Quality Trend: Improving

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

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+0.143 m/yr7
Phosphorus Stable+0.09 µg/L/yr6
See year-by-year chart →

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #12 of 66 lakes in Oconto County

Nearby Lakes in Oconto County

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 2015. 3 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).

DNR Assessment
Excellent · Deep Lowland lake
Trophic State Index 45 (mesotrophic) · 5-year average

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

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

DNR Reports & Resources

Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Anderson Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.

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: 2025-09-01

Monitoring stations: 1