Lake Mallalieu
St. Croix County, WisconsinEutrophic
Lake Mallalieu pulls a D on the LakeGrade rubric — phosphorus loading and limited clarity hold it below the Wisconsin average. Secchi readings are the weakest of the three parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.
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 Mallalieu reaches 17 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 289 acres, Lake Mallalieu fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Lake Mallalieu ranks 4 of 5 in St. Croix County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Lake Mallalieu, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 4, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. A documented public access point at Lake Mallalieu makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2026-04-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Mallalieu water quality
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 2.8 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 54.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.8 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 54.4 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 | 17 ft |
| Surface Area | 289 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Lake Mallalieu (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Lake Mallalieu? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Lake Mallalieu 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: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.125 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.44 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 5 lakes in St. Croix County
Nearby Lakes in St. Croix County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Lake Mallalieu
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 2004. 3 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake Mallalieu is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lower Power (completed 1866), built primarily for recreation on the Willow River; gravity-type dam, 22 ft tall and 400 ft long.
- Surface area
- 270 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,388 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 175 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- City of Hudson
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID WI00187 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.2 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Mallalieu 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 WI10004899 · Official waterbody report
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
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2026-04-10
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Lake Mallalieu
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