Washburn Lake
Washburn Lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 7.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 18.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 27 ft. Surface area: 85 acres.
Wisconsin DNR rates Panfish as abundant on Washburn Lake. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 7.5 ft
- Typical in July
- 75°F
- Max depth
- 27 ft
- Area
- 85 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
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Washburn Lake is a 85-acre mesotrophic lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 27 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Panfish and Largemouth Bass. Compared to the 66 other monitored lakes in Oneida County, Washburn Lake ranks #40 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2026-06-26. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLow algae
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 18.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 18.7 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Washburn Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Washburn Lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Washburn Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Washburn Lake typically sits around 75°F at the surface in July. Summer average is about 73°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 75°F) and coldest in Apr (about 50°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 9 field readings (2024–2026) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Washburn Lake water temperature breakdown →
Wisconsin DNR rates Panfish as abundant on Washburn Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Washburn Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 7 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 2021. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2026).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 27 ft |
| Surface Area | 85 acres |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Washburn Lake
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 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.743 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.11 µg/L/yr | 6 |
County Ranking
Ranked #40 of 67 lakes in Oneida County
Nearby Lakes in Oneida County
Frequently asked questions about Washburn Lake
Where is Washburn Lake?
- Washburn Lake is a lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality grades it B for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Washburn Lake?
- Washburn Lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 7.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 18.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 27 ft. Surface area: 85 acres.
Is Washburn Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Washburn Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Washburn Lake?
- Washburn Lake typically sits around 75°F at the surface in July, from 9 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2024–2026). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Washburn Lake?
- Washburn Lake has a maximum depth of 27 feet. The lake covers 85 acres.
What fish are in Washburn Lake?
- Fish species found in Washburn Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass. Washburn Lake is located in Oneida County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Washburn Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR rates Panfish as abundant on Washburn Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Washburn Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 7 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Explore Washburn Lake across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
40 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX40 samples · 2021–2026
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes