Shoe Lake
Manitowoc County, WisconsinEutrophic
On the LakeGrade scale Shoe Lake grades a B, with clarity at 7.0 ft and 27 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Wisconsin median. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. A maximum depth of 34 ft puts Shoe Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 10 acres, Shoe Lake sits below the Wisconsin median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Shoe Lake ranks 8 of 18 in Manitowoc County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.
Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Shoe Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 4, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-09-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Track Shoe Lake
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7 ft. Phosphorus level: 26.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 26.6 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 34 ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Shoe Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Shoe Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Shoe Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.357 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.29 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 18 lakes in Manitowoc County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Shoe Lake holds Grade B. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ACedar LakeManitowoc County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- AElkhart LakeSheboygan County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ALittle Elkhart LakeSheboygan County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- BWilke LakeManitowoc County · mi · Higher overall water quality score
- BSpring LakeManitowoc County · mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Manitowoc County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Shoe Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 2003. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Shoe Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2018Shoe Lake electrofishing survey, 2018Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2018 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-09-08
Monitoring stations: 1