Pine Lake

The LakeGrade rubric puts Pine Lake at a C: clarity at 4.8 ft, 28 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 53 signal an intermediate trophic state. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.

At a TSI of 53, Pine Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. Pine Lake reaches 15 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 1,673 acres, Pine Lake is one of the larger lakes in Forest County, with partial shoreline records supporting multiple distinct use patterns. Within the 34 graded lakes of Forest County, Pine Lake sits at rank 29, near the bottom of the county list.

Pine Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 5 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.