Bladder Lake
Bladder Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 18 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Maximum depth: 35 ft. Surface area: 84 acres.
- Clarity
- 18 ft
- Max depth
- 35 ft
- Area
- 84 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Bayfield County
Bladder Lake is a 84-acre mesotrophic lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 35 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 23 other monitored lakes in Bayfield County, Bladder Lake ranks #22 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-08-27. 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.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Crystal clear, you can see 18 ft down. Phosphorus level: 30 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 18 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 30 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Bladder Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bladder Lake in Bayfield 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Bladder Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 35 ft |
| Surface Area | 84 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Bladder Lake - SouthPublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Bladder Lake
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.125 m/yr | 2 |
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Bladder Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Iron River National Fish HatcheryIron River · 4.4 mi away · NPDES WI0044334Recent 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 #22 of 24 lakes in Bayfield County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Bladder Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Bayfield County
Frequently asked questions about Bladder Lake
What is the water quality grade for Bladder Lake?
- Bladder Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 18 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Maximum depth: 35 ft. Surface area: 84 acres.
Is Bladder Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Bladder Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Bladder Lake?
- Bladder Lake has a maximum depth of 35 feet. The lake covers 84 acres.
What fish are in Bladder Lake?
- Fish species found in Bladder Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye. Bladder Lake is located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
Are there boat ramps on Bladder Lake?
- Bladder Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Bladder Lake - South. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Bladder Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Wisconsin's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
Planning a trip around Apostle Islands?
Bladder Lake is about 39 miles from Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Crowds there swing hard by season, so the month you pick changes both how busy the park is and what lodging costs.
Best time to visit Apostle Islands →More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
9 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX9 samples · 2023–2025
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)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory