Garner Lake
Garner Lake in Richland County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 1.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 121 µg/L. Maximum depth: 8 ft. Surface area: 13 acres.
Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Garner Lake. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 1.3 ft
- Max depth
- 8 ft
- Area
- 13 acres
- Type
- Hypereutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Garner Lake →
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Garner Lake is a 13-acre highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Richland County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 8 feet. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2024. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Public access is available. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Richland County, Garner Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2024-10-28. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
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.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Very murky, less than 1.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 121 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 73.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.3 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 121 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 73 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Where to stay near Garner Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Garner Lake in Richland County, Wisconsin — 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 Garner Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Garner Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Garner Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Garner Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages.
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 8 ft |
| Surface Area | 13 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Garner Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Richland County
Nearby Lakes in Richland County
Frequently asked questions about Garner Lake
Where is Garner Lake?
- Garner Lake is a lake in Richland County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Garner Lake?
- Garner Lake in Richland County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 1.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 121 µg/L. Maximum depth: 8 ft. Surface area: 13 acres.
Is Garner Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Garner Lake has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Garner Lake?
- Garner Lake has a maximum depth of 8 feet. The lake covers 13 acres.
What fish are in Garner Lake?
- Fish species found in Garner Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Catfish. Garner Lake is located in Richland County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Garner Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Garner Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Garner Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Explore Garner Lake across LakeQuality
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
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Where this data comes from
12 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX12 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
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
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes