Sissabagama Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric, Sissabagama Lake pulls an A: clarity at 26.9 ft and 19 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Wisconsin. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

The lake's low TSI puts it in oligotrophic territory — the cleanest of the four trophic classes, but also the most vulnerable to nutrient-driven shifts. Sissabagama Lake reaches 48 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Sissabagama Lake covers 805 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Sissabagama Lake ranks 26 of 52 in Sawyer County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Sissabagama Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 6 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. A documented public access point at Sissabagama 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.