White Clay Lake
White Clay Lake in Shawano County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 31.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 46 ft. Surface area: 236 acres.
- Clarity
- 5 ft
- Typical in August
- 74°F
- Max depth
- 46 ft
- Area
- 236 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Shawano County
White Clay Lake is a 236-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Shawano County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 46 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Water clarity is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Shawano County, White Clay Lake ranks #16 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2026-04-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch White Clay Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyModerate
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.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Murky, only visible to about 5 ft. Phosphorus level: 31.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 54.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 31.6 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near White Clay Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near White Clay Lake in Shawano 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 White Clay Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
White Clay Lake typically sits around 74°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 75°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 76°F) and coldest in Apr (about 52°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 30 field readings (2024–2026) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full White Clay Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 46 ft |
| Surface Area | 236 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- White Clay LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing White Clay 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.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 2004. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -1.429 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.12 µg/L/yr | 5 |
EPA Impairment Status
White Clay Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10001029 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #16 of 21 lakes in Shawano County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
White Clay Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Shawano County
Frequently asked questions about White Clay Lake
What is the water quality grade for White Clay Lake?
- White Clay Lake in Shawano County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 31.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 46 ft. Surface area: 236 acres.
Is White Clay Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. White Clay Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of White Clay Lake?
- White Clay Lake typically sits around 74°F at the surface in August, from 30 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2024–2026). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is White Clay Lake?
- White Clay Lake has a maximum depth of 46 feet. The lake covers 236 acres.
What fish are in White Clay Lake?
- Fish species found in White Clay Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye. White Clay Lake is located in Shawano County, Wisconsin.
Are there boat ramps on White Clay Lake?
- White Clay Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include White Clay Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore White Clay Lake across LakeGrade
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Wisconsin
Fish species and best lakes in Shawano County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Wolf River Watershed, ranked by water quality
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Wisconsin's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Where this data comes from
61 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX61 samples · 2020–2026
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory