Lake Winneconne
Winnebago County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic
Lake Winneconne earns an F: phosphorus readings still being added and clarity at 2.4 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. At only 9 ft deep, Lake Winneconne is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. Lake Winneconne covers 4,553 acres alongside partial shoreline records, large enough that conditions can vary meaningfully between bays. Lake Winneconne ranks 2 of 5 in Winnebago County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.
Zebra mussel presence at Lake Winneconne means the lake's clarity numbers carry an asterisk — filtered water is not the same as nutrient-poor water. Walleye are documented at Lake Winneconne, one of 8 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Lake Winneconne 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 2026-05-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Winneconne water quality
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2.4 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 65.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.4 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 65 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 9 ft |
| Surface Area | 4,553 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Lake Winneconne (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Lake Winneconne? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Lake Winneconne 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 | → Stable | +0.033 m/yr | 6 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 5 lakes in Winnebago County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Winneconne holds Grade F. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Winnebago County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Lake Winneconne
Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Lake Winneconne With Nearby Lakes
Winnebago County · Grade F
Winnebago County · Grade F
Winnebago County · Grade F
Winnebago County · Grade C
Waupaca County · Grade C
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 16 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Winneconne is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10000776 · 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: 2026-05-27
Monitoring stations: 2
Where to stay near Lake Winneconne
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