Little Trout Lake
Little Trout Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Phosphorus: 13 µg/L. Maximum depth: 98 ft. Surface area: 1007 acres.
Wisconsin DNR lists Musky as common on Little Trout Lake. DNR survey details →
- Max depth
- 98 ft
- Area
- 1,007 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
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Little Trout Lake is a 1,007-acre mesotrophic lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 98 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2024. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Musky, Panfish, and Largemouth Bass. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 102 other monitored lakes in Vilas County, Little Trout Lake ranks #83 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2024-07-24. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 13 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 13 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Little Trout Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Little Trout Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Wisconsin DNR lists Musky as common on Little Trout Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Little Trout Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 5 stations on file (most recent sample 2003).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 98 ft |
| Surface Area | 1,007 acres |
Recreation & Access
- Little Trout LakeSemi-private
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Little Trout Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.17 µg/L/yr | 2 |
County Ranking
Ranked #83 of 103 lakes in Vilas County
Nearby Lakes in Vilas County
Frequently asked questions about Little Trout Lake
Where is Little Trout Lake?
- Little Trout Lake is a lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality grades it B for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Little Trout Lake?
- Little Trout Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Phosphorus: 13 µg/L. Maximum depth: 98 ft. Surface area: 1007 acres.
Is Little Trout Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Little Trout Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Little Trout Lake?
- Little Trout Lake has a maximum depth of 98 feet. The lake covers 1007 acres.
What fish are in Little Trout Lake?
- Fish species found in Little Trout Lake include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Trout, Walleye. Little Trout Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Little Trout Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR lists Musky as common on Little Trout Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Little Trout Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Are there boat ramps on Little Trout Lake?
- Little Trout Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Little Trout Lake.
Explore Little Trout Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Wisconsin
Fish species and best lakes in Vilas County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its grade
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
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Where this data comes from
3 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Water Program (Tribal)
LDFWATER20073 samples · 2021–2024
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory