Long Lake
Bayfield County, WisconsinOligotrophic
Long Lake earns an A — every scored parameter (clarity and phosphorus) rates among the best monitored waters in Bayfield County. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
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. A maximum depth of 28 ft puts Long Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. Long Lake covers 280 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Within Bayfield County's 52 graded waters, Long Lake sits at rank 1, near the top of the local distribution.
Long Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Japanese knotweed), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 4 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 2025-08-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 16.2 ft down. Phosphorus level: 13.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 16.2 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 13.7 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 28 ft |
| Surface Area | 280 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Long Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Long Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Long 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: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.05 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.66 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 52 lakes in Bayfield County
Nearby Lakes in Bayfield County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Washington County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.6 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 11 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 11.3 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 20.2 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1995. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Long Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2024Long Lake spring shocking survey, 2024Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2024 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-08-21
Monitoring stations: 1