Lower Clam Lake
Lower Clam Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 5.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 29.5 µg/L. Maximum depth: 30 ft. Surface area: 214 acres.
- Clarity
- 5.5 ft
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Area
- 214 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Sawyer County
Lower Clam Lake is a 214-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 30 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Musky, Panfish, and Largemouth Bass. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Sawyer County, Lower Clam Lake ranks #39 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2022-08-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyModerate
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.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Murky, only visible to about 5.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 29.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 53.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 29.5 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 53 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Lower Clam Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lower Clam Lake in Sawyer 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Lower Clam Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 30 ft |
| Surface Area | 214 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Lower Clam LakePublic
- Clam LakePublic
- Little Clam LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lower Clam Lake
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2024).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.375 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -2.35 µg/L/yr | 3 |
County Ranking
Ranked #39 of 45 lakes in Sawyer County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Lower Clam Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Sawyer County
Frequently asked questions about Lower Clam Lake
What is the water quality grade for Lower Clam Lake?
- Lower Clam Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 5.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 29.5 µg/L. Maximum depth: 30 ft. Surface area: 214 acres.
Is Lower Clam Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Lower Clam Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Lower Clam Lake?
- Lower Clam Lake has a maximum depth of 30 feet. The lake covers 214 acres.
What fish are in Lower Clam Lake?
- Fish species found in Lower Clam Lake include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye. Lower Clam Lake is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.
Are there boat ramps on Lower Clam Lake?
- Lower Clam Lake has 3 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lower Clam Lake, Clam Lake, Little Clam Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Lower Clam Lake across LakeGrade
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
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Fish species and best lakes in Sawyer County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Lower Clam Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
22 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX22 samples · 2020–2022
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
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