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LakeQuality
C

Pulaski Lake

Rusk County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic

Pulaski Lake earns a C — middle-of-the-pack water quality, with one or two parameters dragging the average down from a stronger grade. 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 sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Wisconsin lakes fall. 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. Pulaski Lake ranks 6 of 12 in Rusk County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

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.

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Swimming Safety

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

Water Quality Grade: C, Fair

Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 45.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)9.5 ftC
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)45Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth40 ft
Surface Area125 acres
Public AccessYes

Fish Species

Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.

→ 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 & Introduced Species

Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.

Banded Mystery SnailChinese Mystery Snail

Water Quality Trend: Improving

Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+0.5 m/yr5
See year-by-year chart →

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #6 of 12 lakes in Rusk County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Pulaski Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

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

Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory

Most recent sample: 2024-07-03

Monitoring stations: 1

Where to stay near Pulaski Lake

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