McDonald Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin41 acresView mapDirections
No nutrient or algae sampling on record from Wisconsin DNR for this lake.
- Impaired · Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)
- 30 ft max depth
McDonald Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin has water-quality measurements published by Wisconsin DNR, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 30 ft. Surface area: 41 acres.
McDonald Lake is a 41-acre lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 30 feet.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
What McDonald Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Deep water30 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
No readingRecreation use not supported
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. McDonald Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether McDonald 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 McDonald Lake
These are the measurements Wisconsin DNR publishes for McDonald Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
No clarity data. TSI undefined.
Ask about McDonald Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Lake Details
Max depth
30 ft
Surface area
41 acres
Shoreline
1.6 mi
Stays via Stay22
Stays near McDonald Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near McDonald Lake in Vilas 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 McDonald Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 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 →
Follow McDonald Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fishing McDonald Lake
EPA Impairment Status
McDonald Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life, Recreation.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10007666 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Vilas County
Frequently asked questions about McDonald Lake
Where is McDonald Lake?
- McDonald Lake is a lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Its water-quality measurements are published by Wisconsin DNR and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of McDonald Lake?
- McDonald Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin has water-quality measurements published by Wisconsin DNR, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 30 ft. Surface area: 41 acres.
Is McDonald Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. McDonald Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
How deep is McDonald Lake?
- McDonald Lake has a maximum depth of 30 feet. The lake covers 41 acres.
Explore McDonald Lake across LakeQuality
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Wisconsin
Fish species and best lakes in Vilas County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Northwoods Wisconsin area
Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Wisconsin River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Wisconsin's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Wisconsin
Other Lakes in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
Measurements for McDonald Lake come from the EPA Water Quality Portal. Per-sample source details are not recorded for this lake.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database