Tozer Lake
Washburn County, WisconsinOligotrophic
Tozer Lake sits at the top of the Wisconsin DNR grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Wisconsin. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
Trophically, Tozer Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. At 53 ft of maximum depth, Tozer Lake stratifies reliably through the summer — the hypolimnion stays cooler and clearer than the surface layer suggests. At 35 acres, Tozer Lake sits below the Wisconsin median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Tozer Lake ranks 7 of 47 in Washburn County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
Tozer Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery is bass-led, with 4 documented species across the lake's records. 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.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2022-09-06. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Tozer Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 16 ft down. Phosphorus level: 13.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 16 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 13.2 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 53 ft |
| Surface Area | 35 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
→ Best fishing times for Tozer Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Tozer Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Tozer Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.25 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.2 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 47 lakes in Washburn County
Nearby Lakes in Washburn 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
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2022).
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-09-06
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Tozer Lake
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