Lake Chetac North Basin
Sawyer County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic
Lake Chetac North Basin sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. Lake Chetac North Basin reaches 26 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Lake Chetac North Basin covers 2,400 acres alongside partial shoreline records, large enough that conditions can vary meaningfully between bays. Lake Chetac North Basin ranks 45 of 50 in Sawyer County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
An invasive species record — Banded Mystery Snail — has been logged at Lake Chetac North Basin; Wisconsin DNR maintains the official infested-waters list. Walleye are documented at Lake Chetac North Basin, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-08-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 56.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 56.7 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 26 ft |
| Surface Area | 2.4K acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Lake Chetac North Basin (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Lake Chetac North Basin? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Lake Chetac North Basin fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.13 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #45 of 50 lakes in Sawyer County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Chetac North Basin holds Grade C. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Sawyer County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Lake Chetac North Basin With Nearby Lakes
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1995. 15 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Chetac North Basin is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5R).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10004641 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.72 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-08-18
Monitoring stations: 1