Pigeon Lake

Pigeon Lake earns an A — water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate among the best monitored waters in Bayfield County. 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. A maximum depth of 26 ft puts Pigeon Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 200 acres, Pigeon Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Pigeon Lake ranks 24 of 55 in Bayfield County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

No invasive species are currently listed at Pigeon Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 3, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. A documented public access point at Pigeon 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.