Shag Lake
Marquette County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic
Shag Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Marquette County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 7 documented fish species including Blacknose shiner, Golden shiner, and Iowa darter. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Marquette County, Shag Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2023-05-31. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 15.3 ft down. Trophic State Index: 38.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 15.3 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 38 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Shag Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Shag Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Shag Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 10 lakes in Marquette County
Nearby Lakes in Marquette County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 13.5 ft
Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Shag Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040301100206-02 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-05-31
Monitoring stations: 1