Otter Lake
Otter Lake in Waupaca County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 17.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 40 ft. Surface area: 15 acres.
Wisconsin DNR lists Largemouth Bass as common on Otter Lake. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 8 ft
- Typical in August
- 69°F
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Area
- 15 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
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Otter Lake is a 15-acre mesotrophic lake in Waupaca County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 40 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Waupaca County, Otter Lake ranks #15 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-08-30. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Phosphorus level: 17.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 17.8 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Otter Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Otter Lake in Waupaca 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 Otter Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Otter Lake typically sits around 69°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 75°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 89°F) and coldest in Apr (about 48°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 8 field readings (2025–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Otter Lake water temperature breakdown →
Wisconsin DNR lists Largemouth Bass as common on Otter Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Otter Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1994. 4 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 40 ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Otter Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
EPA Impairment Status
Otter Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10000409 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.35 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #15 of 21 lakes in Waupaca County
Nearby Lakes in Waupaca County
Frequently asked questions about Otter Lake
Where is Otter Lake?
- Otter Lake is a lake in Waupaca County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality grades it B for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Otter Lake?
- Otter Lake in Waupaca County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 17.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 40 ft. Surface area: 15 acres.
Is Otter Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Otter Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Otter Lake?
- Otter Lake typically sits around 69°F at the surface in August, from 8 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2025–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Otter Lake?
- Otter Lake has a maximum depth of 40 feet. The lake covers 15 acres.
What fish are in Otter Lake?
- Fish species found in Otter Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye. Otter Lake is located in Waupaca County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Otter Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR lists Largemouth Bass as common on Otter Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Otter Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Explore Otter Lake across LakeQuality
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Where this data comes from
8 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX8 samples · 2025
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes