Bear Lake

On the LakeGrade scale Bear Lake grades a B, with clarity at 5.7 ft and 19 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Wisconsin median. Secchi readings are the weakest of the scored parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.

The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Wisconsin lakes fall. Bear Lake reaches 20 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. The lake is compact at 66 acres, with partial shoreline records and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Bear Lake sits at rank 25 of 34 in Forest County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

Bear Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Rusty Crayfish), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery is bass-led, with 2 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.