Lower Vermillion Lake

Lower Vermillion Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. Secchi readings are the weakest of the scored parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Lower Vermillion Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. The lake's 55 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Wisconsin — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. Lower Vermillion Lake covers 215 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Lower Vermillion Lake ranks 10 of 37 in Barron County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Lower Vermillion Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. Walleye are documented at Lower Vermillion Lake, one of 4 fish species on record for the lake. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.