Upper Clam Lake
Burnett County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic
Upper Clam Lake grades an F: every scored parameter (clarity) rates poorly, placing it among the most stressed lakes monitored in Wisconsin.
At a TSI of 67, Upper Clam Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. A maximum depth of just 11 ft means sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the water column whenever wind stirs the bottom — a classic shallow-lake dynamic. At 1,338 acres, Upper Clam Lake is one of the larger lakes in Burnett County, with partial shoreline records supporting multiple distinct use patterns. Upper Clam Lake ranks 56 of 57 in Burnett County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
Upper Clam 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 includes walleye among the lake's 7 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. 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 2025-09-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 67.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 67 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 11 ft |
| Surface Area | 1.3K acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Upper Clam Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Upper Clam Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Upper Clam 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: ↓ Declining
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.279 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +5.1 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #56 of 57 lakes in Burnett County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Upper Clam Lake holds Grade F. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Burnett County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Upper Clam Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Upper Clam Lake With Nearby Lakes
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 2009. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
EPA Impairment Status
Upper Clam Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5R).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10006735 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.45 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-09-01
Monitoring stations: 1