Sams Lake
Sams Lake in Shawano County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 11 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 18 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 13 ft. Surface area: 6 acres.
- Clarity
- 11 ft
- Typical in August
- 63°F
- Max depth
- 13 ft
- Area
- 6 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
Next lake in Shawano County
Sams Lake is a 6-acre mesotrophic lake in Shawano County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 13 feet. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Panfish and Largemouth Bass. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Shawano County, Sams Lake ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-10-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade 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.
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A (Excellent)
Good clarity, visible to about 11 ft. Phosphorus level: 18 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 2.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 18 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.2 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Sams Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sams Lake in Shawano 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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Water Temperature
Sams Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 61°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 63°F) and coldest in May (about 52°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 54 field readings (2025–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Sams Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 13 ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Sams 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.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages.
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.317 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -2.8 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.52 µg/L/yr | 2 |
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 21 lakes in Shawano County
Nearby Lakes in Shawano County
Frequently asked questions about Sams Lake
What is the water quality grade for Sams Lake?
- Sams Lake in Shawano County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 11 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 18 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 13 ft. Surface area: 6 acres.
Is Sams Lake safe to swim in?
- Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Sams Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 2.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Sams Lake?
- Sams Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in August, from 54 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2025–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Sams Lake?
- Sams Lake has a maximum depth of 13 feet. The lake covers 6 acres.
What fish are in Sams Lake?
- Fish species found in Sams Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass. Sams Lake is located in Shawano County, Wisconsin.
Explore Sams Lake across LakeGrade
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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
39 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Stockbridge_Munsee Community
STOCKBRIDGE_MUNSEE39 samples · 2021–2025
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
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
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes