Person Lake
Douglas County, WisconsinMesotrophic
On the LakeGrade scale Person Lake grades a B, with clarity at 7.7 ft and 25 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Wisconsin median. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
A TSI near 49 places Person Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. At only 8 ft deep, Person Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. At 174 acres, Person Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Among the 40 graded lakes in Douglas County, Person Lake sits at rank 19, above the county median.
An invasive species record — Chinese Mystery Snail — has been logged at Person Lake; Wisconsin DNR maintains the official infested-waters list. Walleye are documented at Person Lake, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-09-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Track Person Lake
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.7 ft. Phosphorus level: 25.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 8 ft |
| Surface Area | 174 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Person Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Person Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Person Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.436 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1.16 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #19 of 40 lakes in Douglas County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Person Lake holds Grade B. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AMiddle Kimball LakeWashburn County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- AWhitefish LakeDouglas County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ABardon LakeDouglas County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- BUpper Kimball LakeWashburn County · mi · Higher overall water quality score
- BSaint Croix Flowage LakeDouglas County · mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Douglas County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Person Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1999. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Person Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2025Person Lake spring shocking survey, 2025Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-09-26
Monitoring stations: 1