Killarney Lake
Oneida County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric Killarney Lake fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 69 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. At only 8 ft deep, Killarney Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. Killarney Lake covers 293 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Within the 134 graded lakes of Oneida County, Killarney Lake sits at rank 129, near the bottom of the county list.
Killarney Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2025, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery is bass-led, with 3 documented species across the lake's records. Public access is available — the lake is on the Wisconsin DNR public-access list. 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 2025-07-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 1.7 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 69.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.7 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 8 ft |
| Surface Area | 293 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Killarney Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Killarney Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Killarney Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.5 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #129 of 134 lakes in Oneida County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Killarney Lake holds Grade F. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Oneida County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Killarney Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2025Killarney Lake spring shocking survey, 2025Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Killarney Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Little Rice River (completed 1961), built primarily for recreation on the LITTLE RICE; gravity-type dam, 15 ft tall and 400 ft long.
- Surface area
- 421 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,120 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 2,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 32 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Town of Little Rice
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID WI00165 · Operator website
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
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: 2025-07-03
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Killarney Lake
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