Skip to main content
LakeQuality
C

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

Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

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.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)6 ftD
Phosphorus21.2 µg/LB
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)50Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth34 ft
Surface Area336 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.

Chinese Mystery SnailRusty Crayfish

Water Quality Trend: Declining

Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-0.246 m/yr7
Phosphorus Stable+0.3 µg/L/yr2
See year-by-year chart →

Location

Loading map…

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.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Oneida County

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Musky(Common)Panfish(Common)Walleye(Common)Largemouth Bass(Present)Smallmouth Bass(Present)Northern Pike(Present)

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

Mercury

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

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Little Fork Lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.