Cross Lake
Kenosha County, WisconsinMesotrophic
Cross Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. Secchi readings are the weakest of the scored parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Cross Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. A maximum depth of 35 ft puts Cross Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 89 acres, Cross Lake sits below the Wisconsin median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Cross Lake sits at rank 7 of 13 in Kenosha County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Cross Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. The fishery is bass-led, with 3 documented species across the lake's records. 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 2025-09-02. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 16.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 16.1 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 35 ft |
| Surface Area | 89 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Cross Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Cross Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Cross Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.337 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -8.88 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 13 lakes in Kenosha County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Cross Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Kenosha County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Cross Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1989. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
EPA Impairment Status
Cross Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5R).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10027035 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.52 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-09-02
Monitoring stations: 1