Lake Buteau
Lake Buteau in Lincoln County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 19.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 11 µg/L. Maximum depth: 50 ft. Surface area: 51 acres.
- Clarity
- 19.4 ft
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Area
- 51 acres
- Type
- Oligotrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
Next lake in Lincoln County
Lake Buteau is a 51-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Lincoln County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 50 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Compared to the 12 other monitored lakes in Lincoln County, Lake Buteau ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-08-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
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.
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
Crystal clear, you can see 19.4 ft down. Phosphorus level: 11 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 37.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 19.4 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 11 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 37 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Lake Buteau
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Buteau in Lincoln 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 Lake Buteau
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 50 ft |
| Surface Area | 51 acres |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lake Buteau
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1999. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.334 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.97 µg/L/yr | 7 |
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Buteau is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10026794 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.22 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 13 lakes in Lincoln County
Nearby Lakes in Lincoln County
Frequently asked questions about Lake Buteau
What is the water quality grade for Lake Buteau?
- Lake Buteau in Lincoln County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 19.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 11 µg/L. Maximum depth: 50 ft. Surface area: 51 acres.
Is Lake Buteau safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Lake Buteau has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Lake Buteau?
- Lake Buteau has a maximum depth of 50 feet. The lake covers 51 acres.
What fish are in Lake Buteau?
- Fish species found in Lake Buteau include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike. Lake Buteau is located in Lincoln County, Wisconsin.
Explore Lake Buteau across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
14 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2023–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX14 samples · 2023–2025
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes