Lake Lucerne
Forest County, WisconsinOligotrophic
Lake Lucerne earns an A — every scored parameter (clarity and phosphorus) rates among the best monitored waters in Forest County. With clarity and phosphorus scored, the sub-grades cluster within a letter of each other, pointing to stable conditions rather than one specific stressor.
Trophically, Lake Lucerne reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. The lake's 73 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Wisconsin — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. At 1,039 acres, Lake Lucerne is one of the larger lakes in Forest County, with partial shoreline records supporting multiple distinct use patterns. Among the 34 graded lakes in Forest County, Lake Lucerne ranks 1 — in the top quartile locally.
Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Lake Lucerne, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 6 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. 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 2025-10-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 18.5 ft down. Phosphorus level: 9.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 36.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 18.5 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 9.3 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 36 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 73 ft |
| Surface Area | 1.0K acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Lake Lucerne (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Lake Lucerne? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Lake Lucerne 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 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.432 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.04 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 34 lakes in Forest County
Nearby Lakes in Forest County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Washington County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.6 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 11 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 11.3 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 20.2 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Lake Lucerne With Nearby Lakes
Forest County · Grade A
Forest County · Grade C
Forest County · Grade B
Forest County · Grade A
Forest County · Grade B
Forest County · Grade B
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1986. 3 stations on file (most recent sample 2026).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Lake Lucerne covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2018Lake Lucerne fisheries summary, 2018Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2018 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-10-29
Monitoring stations: 2