Manitowish Lake
Vilas County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Manitowish Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Manitowish Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. The lake's 61 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Wisconsin — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. At 496 acres, Manitowish Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Among the 191 graded lakes in Vilas County, Manitowish Lake sits at rank 85, above the county median.
Manitowish Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. Walleye are documented at Manitowish Lake, one of 6 fish species on record for the lake. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2020-08-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 12.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 61 ft |
| Surface Area | 496 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Manitowish Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Manitowish Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Manitowish 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.
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #85 of 191 lakes in Vilas County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Manitowish Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Vilas County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Manitowish Lake With Nearby Lakes
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 5 stations on file (most recent sample 2020).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2020-08-26
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Manitowish Lake
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