Spring Lake
Sawyer County, WisconsinMesotrophic
On the LakeGrade scale Spring Lake grades a B, with clarity at 8.9 ft and 28 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Wisconsin median. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Spring Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. A maximum depth of 18 ft puts Spring Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 202 acres, Spring Lake fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Within Sawyer County's 50 graded lakes, Spring Lake ranks 37 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.
No invasive species are currently listed at Spring Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Spring Lake, one of 4 fish species on record for the lake. Multiple sampling years from the Wisconsin DNR Citizen Lake Monitoring Network back the grade, so the letter should hold steady absent a major watershed shift.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2024-08-31. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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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 8.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 27.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 5.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 27.5 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.2 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 18 ft |
| Surface Area | 202 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Spring Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Spring Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Spring Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.17 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.25 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.27 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #37 of 50 lakes in Sawyer County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Spring Lake holds Grade B. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AGrindstone LakeSawyer County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- AChristner LakeSawyer County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ALac Courte Oreilles LakeSawyer County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- AWindigo LakeSawyer County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- BGurno LakeSawyer County · mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Sawyer County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2008).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Spring Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 5 reports on file.
- 2025Moose Lake spring survey, 2025Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
- 2025Sissabagama Lake spring survey, 2025Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
- 2025Windfall Lake spring survey, 2025Fisheries Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
- 2023Lost Land Lake spring shocking and netting survey, 2023Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)
- 2023Teal Lake spring netting and shocking survey, 2023Netting Survey · WI DNR · 2023 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-08-31
Monitoring stations: 1