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LakeQuality
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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.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)62.3 ftA
Phosphorus12.4 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)29Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth45 ft
Surface Area527 acres
Public AccessYes

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

Banded Mystery SnailChinese Mystery SnailCurly-Leaf PondweedPurple LoosestrifeZebra Mussel

Water Quality Trend: Improving

Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+2.041 m/yr5
Phosphorus Improving-0.47 µg/L/yr4

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #20 of 70 lakes in Burnett County

Nearby Lakes in Burnett County

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2024).

DNR Assessment
Reported
Trophic State Index 36 (oligotrophic) · 5-year average

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Musky(Common)Panfish(Common)Largemouth Bass(Common)Northern Pike(Common)Walleye(Common)

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