Broken Bow Lake
Vilas County, WisconsinMesotrophic
On the LakeGrade scale Broken Bow Lake grades a B, with clarity at 8.0 ft and 25 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Wisconsin median. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
A TSI near 49 places Broken Bow Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. A maximum depth of 23 ft puts Broken Bow Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 133 acres, Broken Bow Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Broken Bow Lake sits at rank 135 of 191 in Vilas County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
An invasive species record — Chinese Mystery Snail — has been logged at Broken Bow Lake; Wisconsin DNR maintains the official infested-waters list. The fishery is bass-led, with 3 documented species across the lake's records. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2022-08-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Broken Bow Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Phosphorus level: 24.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 24.9 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 23 ft |
| Surface Area | 133 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Broken Bow Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Broken Bow Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Broken Bow 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: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.7 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #135 of 191 lakes in Vilas County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Broken Bow Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Vilas County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2022).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
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
Most recent sample: 2022-08-05
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Broken Bow Lake
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