Pipe Lake
Pipe Lake in Polk County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 11.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 14.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 68 ft. Surface area: 293 acres.
Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Pipe Lake. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 11.5 ft
- Max depth
- 68 ft
- Area
- 293 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
- Public access
- Yes
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Pipe Lake is a 293-acre mesotrophic lake in Polk County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 68 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Water clarity is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. Public access is available. Compared to the 54 other monitored lakes in Polk County, Pipe Lake ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2026-07-13. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLow algae
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)
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 14.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 14.1 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Pipe Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Pipe Lake in Polk 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.
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Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Pipe Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Pipe Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 7 years of monitoring is stable. 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 | 68 ft |
| Surface Area | 293 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Pipe 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.
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.643 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -3.1 µg/L/yr | 7 |
EPA Impairment Status
Pipe Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10026579 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 55 lakes in Polk County
Nearby Lakes in Polk County
Frequently asked questions about Pipe Lake
Where is Pipe Lake?
- Pipe Lake is a lake in Polk County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality grades it B for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Pipe Lake?
- Pipe Lake in Polk County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 11.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 14.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 68 ft. Surface area: 293 acres.
Is Pipe Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Pipe Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Pipe Lake?
- Pipe Lake has a maximum depth of 68 feet. The lake covers 293 acres.
What fish are in Pipe Lake?
- Fish species found in Pipe Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye. Pipe Lake is located in Polk County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Pipe Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Pipe Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Pipe Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 7 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Explore Pipe Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
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Fish species and best lakes in Polk County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Where this data comes from
77 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX77 samples · 2020–2026
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes