Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake in Douglas County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 1.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 59.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.5 µg/L. Surface area: 996 acres.
- Clarity
- 1.3 ft
- Typical in August
- 72°F
- Area
- 996 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Douglas County
Spirit Lake is a 996-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Douglas County, Wisconsin. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 14 other monitored lakes in Douglas County, Spirit Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-09-22. 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.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Very murky, less than 1.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 59.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 1.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 57.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.3 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 59.5 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.5 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 57 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Spirit Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Spirit Lake in Douglas 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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Water Temperature
Spirit Lake typically sits around 72°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 73°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 78°F) and coldest in May (about 65°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 9 field readings (2025–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Spirit Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 996 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Spirit Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Pokegama RiverPublic
Fishing Spirit 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.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Spirit Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Superior Village OfSuperior · 4.4 mi away · NPDES WI0030431Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 15 lakes in Douglas County
Nearby Lakes in Douglas County
Frequently asked questions about Spirit Lake
What is the water quality grade for Spirit Lake?
- Spirit Lake in Douglas County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 1.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 59.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.5 µg/L. Surface area: 996 acres.
Is Spirit Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Spirit Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 1.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Spirit Lake?
- Spirit Lake typically sits around 72°F at the surface in August, from 9 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2025–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Are there boat ramps on Spirit Lake?
- Spirit Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Pokegama River. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Spirit Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
29 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA29 samples · 2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory