Muskellunge Lake

On the LakeGrade scale Muskellunge Lake grades a B, with clarity at 13.1 ft and 31 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Wisconsin median. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.

A TSI near 47 places Muskellunge Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. 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 191 of 202 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.