Tambling Lake
Vilas County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Tambling Lake earns an A — water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate among the best monitored waters in Vilas County. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Wisconsin lakes fall. Tambling Lake is a shallow lake at 11 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. Tambling Lake covers 172 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Among the 191 graded lakes in Vilas County, Tambling Lake sits at rank 50, above the county median.
No invasive species are currently listed at Tambling Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Tambling Lake, one of 4 fish species on record for the lake. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2026-05-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Tambling Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 12.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 11 ft |
| Surface Area | 172 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Tambling Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Tambling Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Tambling Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.073 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.45 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #50 of 191 lakes in Vilas County
Nearby Lakes in Vilas County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Washington County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.6 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 11 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 11.3 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 20.2 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
EPA Impairment Status
Tambling Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10007713 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.1 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Most recent sample: 2026-05-19
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Tambling Lake
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