Lac Sault Dore Lake
Price County, WisconsinEutrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Lac Sault Dore Lake at a C: clarity at 9.8 ft, 46 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 52 signal an intermediate trophic state. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. A maximum depth of 21 ft puts Lac Sault Dore Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. The lake's 601 acres and partial shoreline records put it in the mid-range bucket — large enough for varied use, small enough that watershed inputs reach the whole basin. Lac Sault Dore Lake sits at rank 18 of 26 in Price County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
Lac Sault Dore Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. Walleye are documented at Lac Sault Dore Lake, one of 6 fish species on record for the lake. 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 2025-08-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.8 ft. Phosphorus level: 46.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 46.2 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 21 ft |
| Surface Area | 601 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Lac Sault Dore Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Lac Sault Dore Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Lac Sault Dore Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive Species
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.143 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.14 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #18 of 26 lakes in Price County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lac Sault Dore Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ALake Ten-Deep HolePrice County · 6.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- ALake of the PinesSawyer County · 8.9 mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- AConnors LakeSawyer County · 9 mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
Nearby Lakes in Price County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1990. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Lac Sault Dore Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2023Lac Sault Dore (Soo Lake) fall shocking survey, 2023Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)
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
Most recent sample: 2025-08-24
Monitoring stations: 1