Sand Bar Lake
Sand Bar Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 19 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 9.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 49 ft. Surface area: 127 acres.
- Clarity
- 19 ft
- Max depth
- 49 ft
- Area
- 127 acres
- Type
- Oligotrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
Next lake in Bayfield County
Sand Bar Lake is a 127-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 49 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Compared to the 23 other monitored lakes in Bayfield County, Sand Bar Lake ranks #18 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2026-06-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
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.
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
Crystal clear, you can see 19 ft down. Phosphorus level: 9.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 36.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 19 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 9.9 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 36 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Sand Bar Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sand Bar Lake in Bayfield 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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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 49 ft |
| Surface Area | 127 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 Sand Bar 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. 3 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.399 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1.23 µg/L/yr | 3 |
County Ranking
Ranked #18 of 24 lakes in Bayfield County
Nearby Lakes in Bayfield County
Frequently asked questions about Sand Bar Lake
What is the water quality grade for Sand Bar Lake?
- Sand Bar Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 19 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 9.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 49 ft. Surface area: 127 acres.
Is Sand Bar Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Sand Bar Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Sand Bar Lake?
- Sand Bar Lake has a maximum depth of 49 feet. The lake covers 127 acres.
What fish are in Sand Bar Lake?
- Fish species found in Sand Bar Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike. Sand Bar Lake is located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
Explore Sand Bar Lake across LakeGrade
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Where this data comes from
13 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX13 samples · 2023–2026
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
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