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
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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.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 34 ft |
| Surface Area | 155 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
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.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.925 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.92 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Recreation & Access
Location
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.
- ALittle Dummy LakeBarron County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- ABig Dummy LakeBarron County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- ABeaver Dam LakeBarron County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- ASilver LakeBarron County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BLower Vermillion LakeBarron County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
Nearby Lakes in Barron County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Granite Lake South Basin
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1994. 4 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
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.
- 2019Granite Lake comprehensive survey, 2019Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2019 (PDF)
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
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
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