Blue Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric, Blue Lake pulls an A: clarity at 73.8 ft and 11 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, Blue Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. Blue Lake reaches 49 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 441 acres, Blue Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Among the 140 graded lakes in Oneida County, Blue Lake ranks 26 — in the top quartile locally.

Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Blue Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 4 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.