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Waubee Lake

Oconto County, WisconsinOligotrophic

Waubee 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, Waubee Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. Waubee Lake reaches 23 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Waubee Lake covers 116 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Waubee Lake ranks 29 of 62 in Oconto County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Waubee Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. Walleye are documented at Waubee Lake, one of 6 fish species on record for the lake. 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 2025-06-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

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Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Good clarity, visible to about 13.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 10.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 39.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)13.5 ftB
Phosphorus10.5 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)39Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth23 ft
Surface Area116 acres
Public AccessYes

Fish Species

Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.

→ Best fishing times for Waubee Lake (14-day solunar calendar)

→ Is it safe to eat fish from Waubee Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)

Waubee 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.

Banded Mystery SnailChinese Mystery SnailEurasian Water-Milfoil

Water Quality Trend: Stable

Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-0.6 m/yr5
Phosphorus Improving-9.1 µg/L/yr2
See year-by-year chart →

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #29 of 62 lakes in Oconto County

Nearby Lakes in Oconto County

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 2006. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Panfish(Common)Largemouth Bass(Common)Musky(Present)Smallmouth Bass(Present)Northern Pike(Present)Walleye(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: 2025-06-16

Monitoring stations: 1

Where to stay near Waubee Lake

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

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