Little Fork Lake
Oneida County, WisconsinMesotrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Little Fork Lake at a C: clarity at 6.0 ft, 21 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 50 signal an intermediate trophic state. Secchi readings are the weakest of the three parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Little Fork Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. The lake bottoms out at 34 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. Little Fork Lake covers 336 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Little Fork Lake sits at rank 90 of 134 in Oneida County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
Little Fork Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Chinese 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 6 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-03-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Little Fork Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 6 ft. Phosphorus level: 21.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 21.2 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 34 ft |
| Surface Area | 336 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Little Fork Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Little Fork Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Little Fork Lake 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: ↓ Declining
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.246 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.3 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #90 of 134 lakes in Oneida County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Little Fork Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ASpirit LakeOneida County · mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- BIsland LakeOneida County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Oneida County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
EPA Impairment Status
Little Fork Lake 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 WI10007338 · 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
Most recent sample: 2025-03-03
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Little Fork Lake
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