Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake
Taylor County, WisconsinEutrophic
Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake pulls a D on the LakeGrade rubric — phosphorus loading and limited clarity hold it below the Wisconsin average. Phosphorus is the parameter holding the grade back — runoff from the surrounding watershed appears to keep nutrient levels elevated through the summer.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake reaches 22 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. With 2,366 acres of surface and partial shoreline records, Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake is a large water by Wisconsin standards — recreational pressure is spread across a long shoreline. Within the 7 graded lakes of Taylor County, Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake sits at rank 7, near the bottom of the county list.
Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. The fishery is bass-led, with 3 documented species across the lake's records. A documented public access point at Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2024-06-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 91.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.2 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 91.3 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 22 ft |
| Surface Area | 2.4K acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive Species
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.237 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -4.42 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 7 lakes in Taylor County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ARichter LakeTaylor County · 5.8 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BLake EsadoreTaylor County · 12.3 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BHolcombe Flowage LakeChippewa County · 21.3 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
Nearby Lakes in Taylor County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 16 stations on file (most recent sample 2024).
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: 2024-06-25
Monitoring stations: 1