Tenmile Lake
Barron County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic
Tenmile Lake pulls a D on the LakeGrade rubric — phosphorus loading and limited clarity hold it below the Wisconsin average. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
At a TSI of 50, Tenmile Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. Tenmile Lake is a shallow lake at 12 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. Tenmile Lake covers 266 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Tenmile Lake ranks 34 of 38 in Barron County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
An invasive species record — Chinese Mystery Snail — has been logged at Tenmile Lake; Wisconsin DNR maintains the official infested-waters list. Walleye are documented at Tenmile Lake, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Tenmile Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-08-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 6.6 ft. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 12 ft |
| Surface Area | 266 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Tenmile Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Tenmile Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Tenmile Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive Species
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.365 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.54 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #34 of 38 lakes in Barron County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Tenmile Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ABass LakeBarron County · 1 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- AAxhandle LakeChippewa County · 6.9 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BUnnamed Rusk Co -Deep Hole LakeRusk County · 7.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
Nearby Lakes in Barron County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Tenmile Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1987. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Most recent sample: 2025-08-03
Monitoring stations: 1