Bass Lake
Price 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. Secchi readings are the weakest of the three parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Bass Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. Bass Lake reaches 46 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. The lake is compact at 84 acres, with partial shoreline records and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Bass Lake ranks 3 of 27 in Price County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
No invasive species are currently listed at Bass Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Bass 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. 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 2025-08-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Bass Lake water quality
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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 8.8 ft. Phosphorus level: 13.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 13.2 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 46 ft |
| Surface Area | 84 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ 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)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.197 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +2 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 27 lakes in Price County
Nearby Lakes in Price County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
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 2020. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
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 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10006837 · Official waterbody report
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
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2025-08-22
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Bass Lake
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