Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake in Burnett County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 10 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 19.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 17 ft. Surface area: 179 acres.
- Clarity
- 10 ft
- Max depth
- 17 ft
- Area
- 179 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
Next lake in Burnett County
Big Bear Lake is a 179-acre mesotrophic lake in Burnett County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 17 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2026. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Compared to the 29 other monitored lakes in Burnett County, Big Bear Lake ranks #19 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2026-06-22. 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.
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft. Phosphorus level: 19.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 19.2 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Big Bear Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Big Bear Lake in Burnett 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.
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 17 ft |
| Surface Area | 179 acres |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Big Bear Lake
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1995. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.096 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.34 µg/L/yr | 5 |
County Ranking
Ranked #19 of 30 lakes in Burnett County
Nearby Lakes in Burnett County
Frequently asked questions about Big Bear Lake
What is the water quality grade for Big Bear Lake?
- Big Bear Lake in Burnett County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 10 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 19.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 17 ft. Surface area: 179 acres.
Is Big Bear Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Big Bear Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Big Bear Lake?
- Big Bear Lake has a maximum depth of 17 feet. The lake covers 179 acres.
What fish are in Big Bear Lake?
- Fish species found in Big Bear Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike. Big Bear Lake is located in Burnett County, Wisconsin.
Explore Big Bear Lake across LakeGrade
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Where this data comes from
9 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX9 samples · 2020–2026
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes