Lower Eau Claire Lake

Lower Eau Claire 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.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Lower Eau Claire Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. Lower Eau Claire Lake reaches 41 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Lower Eau Claire Lake covers 784 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Among the 52 graded lakes in Bayfield County, Lower Eau Claire Lake sits at rank 21, above the county median.

Lower Eau Claire Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 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.