Bear Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric, Bear Lake pulls an A: clarity at 27.7 ft and 18 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Wisconsin. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

Trophically, Bear Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. Bear Lake reaches 20 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 295 acres, Bear Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Bear Lake ranks 8 of 140 in Oneida County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.

Bear Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. Walleye are documented at Bear Lake, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Bear Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.