Leader Lake

Leader Lake earns an A — water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate among the best monitored waters in Douglas County. 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.

The lake's low TSI puts it in oligotrophic territory — the cleanest of the four trophic classes, but also the most vulnerable to nutrient-driven shifts. At 56 ft of maximum depth, Leader Lake stratifies reliably through the summer — the hypolimnion stays cooler and clearer than the surface layer suggests. At 171 acres, Leader Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Among the 40 graded lakes in Douglas County, Leader Lake ranks 1 — in the top quartile locally.

No invasive species are currently listed at Leader Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 4 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. A documented public access point at Leader Lake 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.