Burns Lake
Burns Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 11.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 12.7 µg/L. Surface area: 41 acres.
- Clarity
- 11.5 ft
- Area
- 41 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
Next lake in Sawyer County
Burns Lake is a 41-acre mesotrophic lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Musky, Panfish, and Largemouth Bass. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Sawyer County, Burns Lake ranks #30 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-08-25. 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 11.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 12.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 12.7 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Burns Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Burns Lake in Sawyer 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 Burns Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 41 acres |
The available depth estimate for Burns Lake is shallower than its measured water clarity, which cannot be right, so no depth is shown.
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 Burns 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: ↑ Improving
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.969 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.01 µg/L/yr | 6 |
County Ranking
Ranked #30 of 45 lakes in Sawyer County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Burns Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Sawyer County
Frequently asked questions about Burns Lake
What is the water quality grade for Burns Lake?
- Burns Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 11.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 12.7 µg/L. Surface area: 41 acres.
Is Burns Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Burns Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Burns Lake?
- The available depth estimate for Burns Lake is shallower than its measured water clarity, which cannot be right, so no depth is shown. The lake covers 41 acres.
What fish are in Burns Lake?
- Fish species found in Burns Lake include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye. Burns Lake is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.
Explore Burns Lake across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Sawyer County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
5 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX5 samples · 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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes