Muskellunge Lake

The LakeGrade rubric puts Muskellunge Lake at a C: clarity at 4.0 ft, 31 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 55 signal an intermediate trophic state. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.

At a TSI of 55, Muskellunge Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. A maximum depth of 19 ft puts Muskellunge Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. The lake's 270 acres and partial shoreline records put it in the mid-range bucket — large enough for varied use, small enough that watershed inputs reach the whole basin. Muskellunge Lake ranks 165 of 191 in Vilas County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Muskellunge Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 5 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. A documented public access point at Muskellunge Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.