Clay Lake
Clay Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 3.5 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 45 ft. Surface area: 28 acres.
- Clarity
- 3.5 ft
- Max depth
- 45 ft
- Area
- 28 acres
- Trend
- → Stable
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Bayfield County
Why Clay Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when its monitoring record clears the evidence bar: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Clay Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded water clarity, but not phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by WI DNR and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Clay Lake is a 28-acre lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 45 feet. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Panfish and Largemouth Bass. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2023-08-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Clay Lake
These readings exist but do not meet the evidence bar for an A–F grade — see why.
Murky, only visible to about 3.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 59.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Clay Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Clay Lake in Bayfield 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.
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 45 ft |
| Surface Area | 28 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Recreation & Access
- Star LakePublic
- Anodanta LakePublic
- Perch LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Clay Lake
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages.
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.625 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +0.5 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Graded lakes near Clay Lake
Clay Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Bayfield County
Frequently asked questions about Clay Lake
What is the water quality grade for Clay Lake?
- Clay Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 3.5 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 45 ft. Surface area: 28 acres.
Is Clay Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Clay Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Clay Lake?
- Clay Lake has a maximum depth of 45 feet. The lake covers 28 acres.
What fish are in Clay Lake?
- Fish species found in Clay Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass. Clay Lake is located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
Are there boat ramps on Clay Lake?
- Clay Lake has 3 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Star Lake, Anodanta Lake, Perch Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Clay Lake across LakeGrade
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Where this data comes from
2 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Eastern Regional Office
USFSEASTERN2 samples · 2021–2023
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
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory