Boot Lake
Oconto County, WisconsinOligotrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric, Boot Lake pulls an A: clarity at 21.5 ft and 11 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Wisconsin. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
Trophically, Boot Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. A maximum depth of 38 ft puts Boot Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 230 acres, Boot Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Within Oconto County's 62 graded waters, Boot Lake sits at rank 8, near the top of the local distribution.
Zebra mussels have been documented at Boot Lake, which alters the filter-feeding balance and can paradoxically increase water clarity while disrupting the food web. Walleye are documented at Boot Lake, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. Public access is available — the lake is on the Wisconsin DNR public-access list. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-07-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Boot Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 21.5 ft down. Phosphorus level: 11.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 36.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 21.5 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 11.3 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 36 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 38 ft |
| Surface Area | 230 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Boot Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Boot Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Boot Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.247 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.05 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 62 lakes in Oconto County
Nearby Lakes in Oconto County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Boot Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Washington County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.6 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 11 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 11.3 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 20.2 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1987. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Boot Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2016Boot Lake comprehensive survey 2016Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2016 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2025-07-25
Monitoring stations: 3
Where to stay near Boot Lake
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