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Fish Lake

Burnett County, WisconsinOligotrophic

Fish Lake sits at the top of the Wisconsin DNR grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Wisconsin. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.

The lake's low TSI puts it in oligotrophic territory — the cleanest of the four trophic classes, but also the most vulnerable to nutrient-driven shifts. 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. Among the 57 graded lakes in Burnett County, Fish Lake ranks 11 — in the top quartile locally.

Fish Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2026, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Fish 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 2026-05-23. 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 14 ft. Phosphorus level: 12.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)14 ftB
Phosphorus12.6 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)40Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Water Quality Trend: Improving

Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+0.625 m/yr5
Phosphorus Improving-0.71 µg/L/yr6
See year-by-year chart →

Recreation & Access

4
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #11 of 57 lakes in Burnett County

Nearby Lakes in Burnett County

DNR Reports & Resources

Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Fish Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 6 reports on file.

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: 2026-05-23

Monitoring stations: 2

Where to stay near Fish Lake

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

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