Bass Lake

Bass Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.

A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. A maximum depth of 43 ft puts Bass Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. Bass Lake is small — 81 acres alongside partial shoreline records — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Within the 52 graded lakes of Bayfield County, Bass Lake sits at rank 49, near the bottom of the county list.

No invasive species are currently listed at Bass Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. The fishery is bass-led, with 3 documented species across the lake's records. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.