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LakeQuality
D

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.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)8.2 ftC
Phosphorus91.3 µg/LF
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)58Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth22 ft
Surface Area2.4K acres
Public AccessYes

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

Chinese Mystery SnailCurly-Leaf PondweedEurasian Water-MilfoilPurple LoosestrifeRusty Crayfish

Water Quality Trend: Stable

Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-0.237 m/yr4
Phosphorus Improving-4.42 µg/L/yr4
See year-by-year chart →

Recreation & Access

5
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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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.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Taylor County

State Parks Near Chequamegon Waters Flowage Lake

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)

Panfish(Abundant)Largemouth Bass(Abundant)Northern Pike(Common)

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