Whitefish Lake
Douglas County, WisconsinOligotrophic
Whitefish Lake earns an A — every scored parameter (clarity and phosphorus) rates among the best monitored waters in Douglas County. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
A TSI value of 35 puts Whitefish Lake in the oligotrophic range, where biological productivity stays low and the water column remains clear. The lake's 102 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Wisconsin — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. Whitefish Lake covers 848 acres alongside partial shoreline records — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Whitefish Lake ranks 2 of 40 in Douglas County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
Whitefish Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. Walleye are documented at Whitefish Lake, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. 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 2024-08-12. 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 24.5 ft down. Phosphorus level: 11.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 35.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 24.5 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 11.4 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 35 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 102 ft |
| Surface Area | 848 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Whitefish Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Whitefish Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Whitefish 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: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.575 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.73 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 40 lakes in Douglas County
Nearby Lakes in Douglas County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Whitefish Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Washington County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.6 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 11 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 11.3 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 20.2 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Whitefish Lake With Nearby Lakes
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1998. 8 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Whitefish Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2014Whitefish Lake comprehensive fisheries survey, 2014Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2014 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-08-12
Monitoring stations: 1