Lake of the Woods
Branch County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Lake of the Woods is a mesotrophic lake in Branch County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Blacknose shiner, and Bluegill. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Branch County, Lake of the Woods ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-14. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Lake of the Woods (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Lake of the Woods? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Lake of the Woods fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 5 lakes in Branch County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake of the Woods holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Branch County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Lapeer County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 13 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft
Lake County · Clarity: 14 ft
Cass County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Genesee County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Lake of the Woods is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040500010107-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.48 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: 2022-09-14
Monitoring stations: 1