Bear Lake

Bear Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. Secchi readings are the weakest of the scored parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Bear Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. Bear Lake reaches 20 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 75 acres, Bear Lake sits below the Wisconsin median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Bear Lake sits at rank 36 of 62 in Oconto County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

An invasive species record — Banded Mystery Snail — has been logged at Bear Lake; Wisconsin DNR maintains the official infested-waters list. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 4, 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.