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LakeQuality
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Pulaski Lake

Rusk County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic

Pulaski Lake sits at the top of the Wisconsin DNR grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Wisconsin. 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. The lake bottoms out at 40 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. Pulaski Lake covers 125 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Within Rusk County's 13 graded lakes, Pulaski Lake ranks 7 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

Pulaski Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Banded 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. A documented public access point at Pulaski 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.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2024-07-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Crystal clear, you can see 32 ft down. Trophic State Index: 27.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)32 ftA
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)27Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth40 ft
Surface Area125 acres
Public AccessYes

Fish Species

Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.

→ Best fishing times for Pulaski Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Pulaski Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

Pulaski Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Invasive Species

Banded Mystery SnailChinese Mystery Snail

Water Quality Trend: Stable

Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Stable-0.1 m/yr6
See year-by-year chart →

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #7 of 13 lakes in Rusk County

Nearby Lakes in Rusk County

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2024).

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Walleye(Common)Musky(Present)Panfish(Present)Largemouth Bass(Present)Smallmouth Bass(Present)Northern Pike(Present)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes

Most recent sample: 2024-07-03

Monitoring stations: 1