Calkins Lake
Chippewa County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Calkins Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season.
A TSI near 49 places Calkins Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. A maximum depth of 29 ft puts Calkins Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. Calkins Lake is small — 46 acres alongside partial shoreline records — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Among the 15 graded lakes in Chippewa County, Calkins Lake sits at rank 7, above the county median.
Calkins Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2022, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 3, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. 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 2022-09-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 22.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 22.3 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 | 29 ft |
| Surface Area | 46 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Calkins Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Calkins Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Calkins Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.072 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.11 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 15 lakes in Chippewa County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Calkins Lake holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Chippewa County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Calkins Lake
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)
EPA Impairment Status
Calkins Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10008932 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.56 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-21
Monitoring stations: 1