Lake Montanis

Lake Montanis sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.

At a TSI of 54, Lake Montanis reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. At only 14 ft deep, Lake Montanis is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. The lake's 212 acres and partial shoreline records put it in the mid-range bucket — large enough for varied use, small enough that watershed inputs reach the whole basin. Lake Montanis ranks 31 of 38 in Barron County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

Lake Montanis has at least one documented invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 4 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. A documented public access point at Lake Montanis makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.