Comus Lake
Walworth County, WisconsinEutrophic
Comus Lake earns a D — measurements through 2021 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
At a TSI of 67, Comus Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. A maximum depth of just 6 ft means sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the water column whenever wind stirs the bottom — a classic shallow-lake dynamic. Comus Lake covers 131 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Within the 34 graded lakes of Walworth County, Comus Lake sits at rank 33, near the bottom of the county list.
No invasive species are currently listed at Comus Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 3, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. A documented public access point at Comus 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 2021-08-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 4.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 193 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 67.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.9 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 193 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 67 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 6 ft |
| Surface Area | 131 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Comus Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Comus Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Comus Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.125 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +113 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #33 of 34 lakes in Walworth County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Comus Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ATurtle LakeWalworth County · 6.3 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BDelavan LakeWalworth County · 2.9 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BDelavan LakeWalworth County · 2.9 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BDelavan LakeWalworth County · 3.6 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CDelavan LakeWalworth County · 3.3 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Walworth County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Comus Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2023).
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: 2021-08-24
Monitoring stations: 1