Bernice Lake
Bernice Lake in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 6.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 74.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 11 ft. Surface area: 32 acres.
- Clarity
- 6.5 ft
- Max depth
- 11 ft
- Area
- 32 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Bernice Lake →
Next lake in Fond du Lac County
Bernice Lake is a 32-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 11 feet. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2020. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Fond du Lac County, Bernice Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2020-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Murky, only visible to about 6.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 74.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 74.9 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Bernice Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bernice Lake in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Bernice Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Bernice Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 11 ft |
| Surface Area | 32 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Bernice Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2020).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Bernice Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Schrauths Mill (completed 1840), built primarily for recreation on the WEST BRANCH MILWAUKEE; earth-type dam, 13 ft tall and 120 ft long.
- Surface area
- 35 ac
- Normal storage
- 125 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 182 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 41 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- TOWN OF ASHFORD
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID WI00068 · Operator website
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Bernice Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Campbellsport Wastewater TrtmnCampbellsport · 2.4 mi away · NPDES WI0020818Recent violation
- Clover Hill DairyAshford, Town Of · 3 mi away · NPDES WI0061689Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 9 lakes in Fond du Lac County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Bernice Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Fond du Lac County
Frequently asked questions about Bernice Lake
What is the water quality grade for Bernice Lake?
- Bernice Lake in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 6.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 74.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 11 ft. Surface area: 32 acres.
Is Bernice Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Bernice Lake has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Bernice Lake?
- Bernice Lake has a maximum depth of 11 feet. The lake covers 32 acres.
What fish are in Bernice Lake?
- Fish species found in Bernice Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike. Bernice Lake is located in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.
Explore Bernice Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
6 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX6 samples · 2020
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes