Deer Lake
Lincoln County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Deer Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Deer Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Within Lincoln County's 19 graded lakes, Deer Lake ranks 13 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.
No invasive species are currently listed at Deer Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Deer Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. 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 2022-05-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #13 of 19 lakes in Lincoln County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Deer Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Lincoln County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Deer Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-05-11
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Deer Lake
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