Long Lake
Manitowoc County, WisconsinEutrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric Long Lake fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 68 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
At a TSI of 68, Long Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. A maximum depth of 38 ft puts Long Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. The lake's 119 acres and partial shoreline records put it in the mid-range bucket — large enough for varied use, small enough that watershed inputs reach the whole basin. Within the 18 graded lakes of Manitowoc County, Long Lake sits at rank 18, near the bottom of the county list.
Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Long Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The fishery is bass-led, with 3 documented species across the lake's records. 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 2025-08-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 1.9 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 90.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 68.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.9 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 90.4 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 68 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 38 ft |
| Surface Area | 119 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 | ↑ Improving | +0.116 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -2.85 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #18 of 18 lakes in Manitowoc County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Long Lake holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BWilke LakeManitowoc County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BPigeon LakeManitowoc County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BSpring LakeManitowoc County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BShoe LakeManitowoc County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- DBullhead LakeManitowoc County · mi · Higher grade (F → D)
Nearby Lakes in Manitowoc County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Long Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1992. 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.
- 2017Long Lake comprehensive survey 2017Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2017 (PDF)
EPA Impairment Status
Long Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10006082 · 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
Most recent sample: 2025-08-25
Monitoring stations: 1