Fisher Lake
Black Hawk County, IowaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Pathogens (E. coli, fecal)
- #3 of 7 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Fisher Lake in Black Hawk County, Iowa has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 169 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 25.7 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 2.6 ft
- Typical in August
- 78°F
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 169 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 25.7 µg/L
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- Yes
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Fisher Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Fisher Lake in Black Hawk County, Iowa — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Fisher Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Fisher Lake
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Watch Fisher Lake’s letter
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Fisher Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Black Hawk County, Iowa. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Black Hawk County, Fisher Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR, last sampled 2024-09-11. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Fisher Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyBacteria advisory
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Fisher Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for pathogens (E. coli, fecal), turbidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Very murky, less than 2.6 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 169 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 25.7 µg/L. TSI 68. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.6 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 169 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 25.7 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 68 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Temperature
Fisher Lake typically sits around 78°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 78°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 81°F) and coldest in May (about 68°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 60 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Fisher Lake water temperature breakdown →
Recreation & Access
- GWSP Portage Put In 1Public
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Fisher Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.036 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +12.05 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +2.98 µg/L/yr | 5 |
EPA Impairment Status
Fisher Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IA 02-CED-465 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.25 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 7 lakes in Black Hawk County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Fisher Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Black Hawk County
Frequently asked questions about Fisher Lake
Where is Fisher Lake?
- Fisher Lake is a lake in Black Hawk County, Iowa. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Fisher Lake?
- Fisher Lake in Black Hawk County, Iowa has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 169 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 25.7 µg/L.
Is Fisher Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Fisher Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for pathogens (E. coli, fecal), turbidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Fisher Lake?
- Fisher Lake typically sits around 78°F at the surface in August, from 60 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Are there boat ramps on Fisher Lake?
- Fisher Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include GWSP Portage Put In 1. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Fisher Lake across LakeQuality
More Iowa Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Iowa
Eutrophic Lakes in Iowa
Where this data comes from
29 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Iowa DNR Surface Water Monitoring Data
21IOWA_WQX29 samples · 2023–2024
Analytical methods
- Unknown
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- In-Vitro Determination of Chlorophyll
- ISU modification of APHA 2130-B
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory