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F

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.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)1.7 ftF
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)69Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth8 ft
Surface Area293 acres
Public AccessYes

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).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+0.5 m/yr2

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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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

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

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

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.

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

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Killarney Lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip.

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