Planting Ground Lake

Planting Ground Lake earns a D — measurements through 2020 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer. 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.

A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. A maximum depth of 37 ft puts Planting Ground Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. Planting Ground Lake covers 1,010 acres alongside partial shoreline records, large enough that conditions can vary meaningfully between bays. Within the 134 graded lakes of Oneida County, Planting Ground Lake sits at rank 101, near the bottom of the county list.

Planting Ground Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 6 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.