Skip to main content
LakeQuality
D

Granite Lake South Basin

Barron County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic

Granite Lake South Basin pulls a D on the LakeGrade rubric — phosphorus loading and limited clarity hold it below the Wisconsin average. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

At a TSI of 51, Granite Lake South Basin reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake bottoms out at 34 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. Granite Lake South Basin covers 155 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Granite Lake South Basin sits at rank 27 of 37 in Barron County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

Granite Lake South Basin has at least one documented invasive species (Curly-Leaf Pondweed), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. Walleye are documented at Granite Lake South Basin, one of 4 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Granite Lake South Basin makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2023-06-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Watch Granite Lake South Basin water quality

Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Swimming Safety

Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk

Water Quality Grade: D, Poor

Murky, only visible to about 6 ft. Trophic State Index: 51.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)6 ftD
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)51Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth34 ft
Surface Area155 acres
Public AccessYes

Fish Species

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

→ Best fishing times for Granite Lake South Basin (14-day solunar calendar)

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

Granite Lake South Basin 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.

Curly-Leaf PondweedPurple Loosestrife

Water Quality Trend: Improving

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

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+0.925 m/yr6
Phosphorus Improving-0.92 µg/L/yr6
See year-by-year chart →

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

Loading map…

County Ranking

Ranked #27 of 37 lakes in Barron County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Granite Lake South Basin holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

Nearby Lakes in Barron County

State Parks Near Granite Lake South Basin

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1994. 4 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).

DNR Assessment
Fair · Deep Lowland lake
Trophic State Index 57 (eutrophic) · 5-year average

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Largemouth Bass(Common)Northern Pike(Common)Panfish(Present)Walleye(Present)

DNR Reports & Resources

Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Granite Lake South Basin covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.

EPA Impairment Status

Granite Lake South Basin is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5R).

Causes of impairment

Cause unknown

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10004488 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.78 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database

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: 2023-06-20

Monitoring stations: 1

Where to stay near Granite Lake South Basin

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Granite Lake South Basin in Barron County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.