Gates Lake
Ashland County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Gates Lake earns an A — every scored parameter (phosphorus) rates among the best monitored waters in Ashland County.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Wisconsin lakes fall. Gates Lake reaches 17 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Gates Lake is small — 17 acres alongside partial shoreline records — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Within Ashland County's 10 graded waters, Gates Lake sits at rank 1, near the top of the local distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Gates Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. The fishery is bass-led, with 2 documented species across the lake's records. 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 2020-08-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Track Gates Lake
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 16 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 16 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 17 ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Gates Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Gates Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Gates Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 10 lakes in Ashland County
Nearby Lakes in Ashland County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Gates Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Washington County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.6 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 11 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 11.3 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 20.2 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages.
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: 2020-08-10
Monitoring stations: 1