Cochran Lake
Price County, WisconsinMesotrophic
Cochran Lake earns an A — water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate among the best monitored waters in Price County. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.
A TSI near 42 places Cochran Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. A maximum depth of 20 ft puts Cochran Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 111 acres, Cochran Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Among the 27 graded lakes in Price County, Cochran Lake ranks 1 — in the top quartile locally.
Cochran Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2026, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 2, 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 2026-05-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Cochran Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 14.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | 14.2 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 20 ft |
| Surface Area | 111 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Cochran Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Cochran Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Cochran 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 | ↑ Improving | +0.336 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +0.63 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 27 lakes in Price County
Nearby Lakes in Price County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Washington County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.6 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 11 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 11.3 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 20.2 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1998. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
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: 2026-05-17
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Cochran Lake
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