Lake Helen
Lake Helen in Portage County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 19.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 20 ft. Surface area: 89 acres.
Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Lake Helen. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 8 ft
- Max depth
- 20 ft
- Area
- 89 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Lake Helen is a 89-acre mesotrophic lake in Portage County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 20 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Public access is available. Compared to the 13 other monitored lakes in Portage County, Lake Helen ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2026-07-13. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLow algae
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)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Phosphorus level: 19.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 19.2 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Lake Helen
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Helen in Portage 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 Helen
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Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Lake Helen.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Lake Helen B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 7 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1997. 7 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 20 ft |
| Surface Area | 89 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lake Helen
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: ↑ Improving
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.188 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.98 µg/L/yr | 7 |
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 14 lakes in Portage County
Nearby Lakes in Portage County
Frequently asked questions about Lake Helen
Where is Lake Helen?
- Lake Helen is a lake in Portage County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality grades it B for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Lake Helen?
- Lake Helen in Portage County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 19.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 20 ft. Surface area: 89 acres.
Is Lake Helen safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Lake Helen has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Lake Helen?
- Lake Helen has a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lake covers 89 acres.
What fish are in Lake Helen?
- Fish species found in Lake Helen include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike. Lake Helen is located in Portage County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Lake Helen?
- Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Lake Helen. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Lake Helen B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 7 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Explore Lake Helen across LakeQuality
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
128 measurements from 4 monitoring stations, 2020–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX128 samples · 2020–2026
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (4)
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes