Kusel Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric, Kusel Lake pulls an A: clarity at 11.5 ft and 16 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Wisconsin. 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.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Kusel Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. Kusel Lake reaches 29 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Kusel Lake is small — 74 acres alongside partial shoreline records — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Among the 32 graded lakes in Waushara County, Kusel Lake sits at rank 10, above the county median.

Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Kusel Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 4 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. A documented public access point at Kusel Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.