Chain Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric, Chain Lake pulls an A: clarity at 16.4 ft and phosphorus readings still being added 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, Chain Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. The lake's 74 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Wisconsin — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. At 454 acres, Chain Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Within Chippewa County's 16 graded waters, Chain Lake sits at rank 2, near the top of the local distribution.

Chain Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. Walleye are documented at Chain Lake, one of 6 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Chain Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.