Indian Lake
Indian Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 6.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 22.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 9 ft. Surface area: 76 acres.
- Clarity
- 6.5 ft
- Max depth
- 9 ft
- Area
- 76 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Sawyer County
Indian Lake is a 76-acre mesotrophic lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 9 feet. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Sawyer County, Indian Lake ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2024-08-31. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Indian Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLow algae
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.
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A (Excellent)
Murky, only visible to about 6.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 22.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 22.5 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.6 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Indian Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Indian Lake in Sawyer 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Indian Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 9 ft |
| Surface Area | 76 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Indian LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Indian Lake
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 1979).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.235 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +0.7 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.24 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Indian Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Lac Courte OreillesHayward · 1.4 mi away · NPDES WI0073041Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 45 lakes in Sawyer County
Nearby Lakes in Sawyer County
Frequently asked questions about Indian Lake
What is the water quality grade for Indian Lake?
- Indian Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 6.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 22.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 9 ft. Surface area: 76 acres.
Is Indian Lake safe to swim in?
- Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Indian Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.6 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Indian Lake?
- Indian Lake has a maximum depth of 9 feet. The lake covers 76 acres.
What fish are in Indian Lake?
- Fish species found in Indian Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye. Indian Lake is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.
Are there boat ramps on Indian Lake?
- Indian Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Indian Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Indian Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Wisconsin
Fish species and best lakes in Sawyer County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Hayward Lakes area
Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Chippewa River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Wisconsin's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
73 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Lac Courte Oreilles (Tribal)
LCOWIS_WQX73 samples · 2020–2024
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 4500 P F ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry Automated Ascorbic Acid Method
- 2320 B ~ Alkalinity by Gran Titration
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus by Ascorbic Acid
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory