Hilts Lake

Hilts Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season.

A TSI value of 39 puts Hilts Lake in the oligotrophic range, where biological productivity stays low and the water column remains clear. At 64 ft of maximum depth, Hilts Lake stratifies reliably through the summer — the hypolimnion stays cooler and clearer than the surface layer suggests. The lake is compact at 61 acres, with partial shoreline records and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Within Lincoln County's 18 graded lakes, Hilts Lake ranks 10 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

Hilts Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery is bass-led, with 3 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.