Deer Lake

The LakeGrade rubric puts Deer Lake at a C: clarity at 4.0 ft, 26 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 54 signal an intermediate trophic state. Secchi readings are the weakest of the three parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.

Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. The lake bottoms out at 20 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. At 188 acres, Deer Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Deer Lake sits at rank 75 of 134 in Oneida County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

An invasive species record — Chinese Mystery Snail — has been logged at Deer Lake; Wisconsin DNR maintains the official infested-waters list. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 6 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.