Teal Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric, Teal Lake pulls an A: clarity at 21.3 ft and 17 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Wisconsin. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.

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. 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. Among the 52 graded lakes in Sawyer County, Teal Lake sits at rank 23, above the county median.

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.