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Finnegan Lake

Oconto County, WisconsinMesotrophic

Finnegan Lake earns an A — water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate among the best monitored waters in Oconto County. 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.

The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Wisconsin lakes fall. A maximum depth of 38 ft puts Finnegan Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 25 acres, Finnegan Lake sits below the Wisconsin median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Finnegan Lake sits at rank 32 of 62 in Oconto County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

Finnegan Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 3 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. Public access is available — the lake is on the Wisconsin DNR public-access list. 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 2023-08-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

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Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft. Phosphorus level: 15.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)10 ftB
Phosphorus15.3 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)44Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth38 ft
Surface Area25 acres
Public AccessYes

Fish Species

Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.

→ Best fishing times for Finnegan Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Finnegan Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

Finnegan 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.

Banded Mystery SnailChinese Mystery SnailEurasian Water-MilfoilHybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil

Water Quality Trend: Improving

Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+0.25 m/yr2

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #32 of 62 lakes in Oconto County

Nearby Lakes in Oconto County

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 5 stations on file (most recent sample 2023).

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Panfish(Abundant)Largemouth Bass(Common)Walleye(Present)

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

Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory

Most recent sample: 2023-08-23

Monitoring stations: 1

Where to stay near Finnegan Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Finnegan Lake in Oconto County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip.

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