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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.

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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.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)16 ftA
Phosphorus13.2 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)39Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth53 ft
Surface Area35 acres
Public AccessYes

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.

Chinese Mystery SnailCurly-Leaf PondweedPurple Loosestrife

Water Quality Trend: Improving

Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+2.25 m/yr3
Phosphorus Stable+0.2 µg/L/yr2

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #7 of 47 lakes in Washburn County

Nearby Lakes in Washburn County

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2022).

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Panfish(Common)Largemouth Bass(Common)Northern Pike(Present)Trout(Present)

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

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Tozer Lake in Washburn County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip.

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