Ripley Lake

Ripley Lake sits at the top of the Wisconsin DNR grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Wisconsin. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

Trophically, Ripley Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. Ripley Lake reaches 27 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 184 acres, Ripley Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Ripley Lake sits at rank 26 of 48 in Washburn County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

No invasive species are currently listed at Ripley Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 4 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. A documented public access point at Ripley 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.