Bass Lake
Marinette County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic
Bass Lake earns a D — measurements through 2020 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. At 65 ft of maximum depth, Bass Lake stratifies reliably through the summer — the hypolimnion stays cooler and clearer than the surface layer suggests. Bass Lake is small — 40 acres alongside partial shoreline records — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Within the 21 graded lakes of Marinette County, Bass Lake sits at rank 19, near the bottom of the county list.
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. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2020-04-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 3.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 59.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 65 ft |
| Surface Area | 40 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.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #19 of 21 lakes in Marinette County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bass Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AGilas LakeMarinette County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- AHalfmoon LakeOconto County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- ARanch LakeOconto County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BMontana LakeMarinette County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BWhite Potato LakeOconto County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
Nearby Lakes in Marinette County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Bass Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2020).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2020-04-28
Monitoring stations: 1