Teal Lake

Teal Lake comes in at a B on the grading rubric — a respectable showing for a Wisconsin lake of its size and depth. Secchi readings are the weakest of the three parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.

The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Wisconsin lakes fall. A maximum depth of 31 ft puts Teal Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. At 1,024 acres, Teal Lake is one of the larger lakes in Sawyer County, with partial shoreline records supporting multiple distinct use patterns. Teal Lake sits at rank 30 of 50 in Sawyer County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Teal 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. Public access is available — the lake is on the Wisconsin DNR public-access list. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.