Pike Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric, Pike Lake pulls an A: clarity readings still being added and 13 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Wisconsin. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Pike Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. Pike Lake reaches 33 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 148 acres, Pike Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Pike Lake ranks 16 of 77 in Polk County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.

Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Pike Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 4 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.