Duck Lake
Bayfield County, WisconsinLimited DataHypereutrophic
Duck Lake earns an F: phosphorus readings still being added and clarity at 1.6 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed.
Hypereutrophic conditions mean the lake is operating at the upper end of the productivity scale, with all the bloom risk that implies. A maximum depth of 30 ft puts Duck Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. The lake is compact at 30 acres, with partial shoreline records and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Within the 52 graded lakes of Bayfield County, Duck Lake sits at rank 52, near the bottom of the county list.
No invasive species are currently listed at Duck Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. 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 2022-07-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 1.6 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 71.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.6 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 71 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 30 ft |
| Surface Area | 30 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Duck Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Duck Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Duck Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #52 of 52 lakes in Bayfield County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Duck Lake holds Grade F. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Bayfield County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Duck Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin
Hypereutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2022).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-07-27
Monitoring stations: 1