Silver Lake

Silver Lake comes in at a B on the grading rubric — a respectable showing for a Wisconsin lake of its size and depth. Phosphorus is the parameter holding the grade back — runoff from the surrounding watershed appears to keep nutrient levels elevated through the summer.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Silver Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. A maximum depth of 42 ft puts Silver Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. The lake is compact at 70 acres, with partial shoreline records and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Among the 10 graded lakes in Columbia County, Silver Lake sits at rank 3, above the county median.

Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Silver Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 5 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. A documented public access point at Silver Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.