Sanborn Lake
Sanborn Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Phosphorus: 16.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 13 ft. Surface area: 243 acres.
Wisconsin DNR rates Northern Pike as abundant on Sanborn Lake. DNR survey details →
- Max depth
- 13 ft
- Area
- 243 acres
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
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Why Sanborn Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Sanborn Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded phosphorus, but not water clarity and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by WI DNR and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Sanborn Lake is a 243-acre lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 13 feet. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2022-07-12. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Sanborn Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 16.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 16.1 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Sanborn Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sanborn Lake in Vilas 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Sanborn Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Wisconsin DNR rates Northern Pike as abundant on Sanborn Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Sanborn Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2022).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 13 ft |
| Surface Area | 243 acres |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Sanborn Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.15 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Graded lakes near Sanborn Lake
Sanborn Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Vilas County
Frequently asked questions about Sanborn Lake
Where is Sanborn Lake?
- Sanborn Lake is a lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — there is not enough recent sampling to assign a letter.
What is the water quality grade for Sanborn Lake?
- Sanborn Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Phosphorus: 16.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 13 ft. Surface area: 243 acres.
Is Sanborn Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Sanborn Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Sanborn Lake?
- Sanborn Lake has a maximum depth of 13 feet. The lake covers 243 acres.
What fish are in Sanborn Lake?
- Fish species found in Sanborn Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike. Sanborn Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Sanborn Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR rates Northern Pike as abundant on Sanborn Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Sanborn Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Explore Sanborn Lake across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
2 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX2 samples · 2022
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Turbidity in Water
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes