Middle Mckenzie Lake
Burnett County, WisconsinOligotrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric, Middle Mckenzie Lake pulls an A: clarity at 62.3 ft and 12 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Wisconsin. 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.
The lake's low TSI puts it in oligotrophic territory — the cleanest of the four trophic classes, but also the most vulnerable to nutrient-driven shifts. Middle Mckenzie Lake reaches 45 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Middle Mckenzie Lake covers 527 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Middle Mckenzie Lake ranks 20 of 70 in Burnett County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.
Middle Mckenzie Lake is on the Wisconsin infested-waters list for zebra mussels — boaters should follow clean-drain-dry protocols when moving gear to or from the lake. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 5 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. Public access is available — the lake is on the Wisconsin DNR public-access list. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2024-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 62.3 ft down. Phosphorus level: 12.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 29.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 62.3 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 12.4 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 29 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 45 ft |
| Surface Area | 527 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Middle Mckenzie Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Middle Mckenzie Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Middle Mckenzie Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive Species
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.041 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.47 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #20 of 70 lakes in Burnett County
Nearby Lakes in Burnett County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Waukesha County · Clarity: 14.6 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 13.8 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 19 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10.1 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2024).
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
Most recent sample: 2024-09-16
Monitoring stations: 1