Lower Vermillion Lake
Barron County, Wisconsin215 acresView mapDirections
Wisconsin DNR publishes the water-quality measurements for Lower Vermillion Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Mesotrophic
- Impaired · Cause unknown
- Curly-Leaf Pondweed
- 55 ft max depth
- Public access
Lower Vermillion Lake in Barron County, Wisconsin has water-quality measurements published by Wisconsin DNR, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 17.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 55 ft. Surface area: 215 acres.
Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Lower Vermillion Lake. DNR survey details →
Lower Vermillion Lake is a 215-acre mesotrophic lake in Barron County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 55 feet. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 27 other monitored lakes in Barron County, Lower Vermillion Lake ranks #12 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2026-07-07. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Lower Vermillion Lake covers about 220 acres in Barron County. It has one public boat landing. For a place on the water, look through cabin and lake-house rentals near Lower Vermillion Lake on Vrbo. For a hotel or motel room, Booking.com and Expedia both search around the lake.
What Lower Vermillion Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing4 species recorded
- Deep water55 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyRecreation use not supported
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Lower Vermillion Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5R) for cause unknown. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Lower Vermillion Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Lower Vermillion Lake
These are the measurements Wisconsin DNR publishes for Lower Vermillion Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9 ft. Phosphorus 17.1 µg/L. TSI 45.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 9ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 17.1µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | No reading The green pigment in algae — a direct measure of how much algae is in the water. | |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 45 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about Lower Vermillion Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Lower Vermillion Lake typically sits around 68°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 77°F) and coldest in May (about 62°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (62°F) to its warmest (77°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 23 field readings (2024–2026) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lower Vermillion Lake water temperature breakdown →
Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Lower Vermillion Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Lower Vermillion Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 7 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1999. 6 stations on file (most recent sample 2026).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
Max depth
55 ft
Surface area
215 acres
Public access
Yes
Listed by Wisconsin DNR
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
47 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Shoreline
2.8 mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
1,171 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Lower Vermillion LakePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Lower Vermillion Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lower Vermillion Lake in Barron 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 Vermillion Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lower Vermillion Lake
- → Lower Vermillion Lake fishing: DNR survey catch rates, species & stocking
- → Lower Vermillion Lake fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Lower Vermillion Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Lower Vermillion Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
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 7 years of monitoring (2020–2026).
Water clarity
Improving7 years
Phosphorus
Improving-7.5 µg/L/yr7 years
EPA Impairment Status
Lower Vermillion Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5R).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Recreation.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10004480 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Lower Vermillion Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Cumberland City OfCumberland · 1.7 mi away · NPDES WI0020354Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Nearby Lakes in Barron County
Frequently asked questions about Lower Vermillion Lake
Where is Lower Vermillion Lake?
- Lower Vermillion Lake is a lake in Barron County, Wisconsin. Its water-quality measurements are published by Wisconsin DNR and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Lower Vermillion Lake?
- Lower Vermillion Lake in Barron County, Wisconsin has water-quality measurements published by Wisconsin DNR, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 17.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 55 ft. Surface area: 215 acres.
Is Lower Vermillion Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Lower Vermillion Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5R) for cause unknown. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Lower Vermillion Lake?
- Lower Vermillion Lake typically sits around 68°F at the surface in September, from 23 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2024–2026). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Lower Vermillion Lake?
- Lower Vermillion Lake has a maximum depth of 55 feet. The lake covers 215 acres.
What fish are in Lower Vermillion Lake?
- Fish species found in Lower Vermillion Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye. Lower Vermillion Lake is located in Barron County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Lower Vermillion Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Lower Vermillion Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Lower Vermillion Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 7 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Are there boat ramps on Lower Vermillion Lake?
- Lower Vermillion Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lower Vermillion Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Lower Vermillion Lake?
- Lower Vermillion Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Wisconsin's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Lower Vermillion Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Wisconsin
Fish species and best lakes in Barron County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its readings
Wisconsin's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
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Other Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
98 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX98 samples · 2020–2026
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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