Bass Lake
Barron County, WisconsinMesotrophic
Bass Lake comes in at a B on the grading rubric — a respectable showing for a Wisconsin lake of its size and depth. Clarity is the limiting factor — phosphorus is reasonable but suspended particles or algal cells keep water transparency below Wisconsin norms.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Bass Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. Bass Lake is a shallow lake at 14 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. At 118 acres, Bass Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Among the 37 graded lakes in Barron County, Bass Lake ranks 7 — in the top quartile locally.
An invasive species record — Chinese Mystery Snail — has been logged at Bass Lake; Wisconsin DNR maintains the official infested-waters list. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 3, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. 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 2025-10-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.7 ft. Phosphorus level: 17 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 17 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 14 ft |
| Surface Area | 118 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Bass Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Bass Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Bass Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.67 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.54 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 37 lakes in Barron County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bass Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Barron County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Bass Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1997. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2026).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
EPA Impairment Status
Bass Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5R).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10024774 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.14 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-10-08
Monitoring stations: 1