Wilke Lake
Manitowoc County, WisconsinMesotrophic
Wilke Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.
A TSI near 47 places Wilke Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. A maximum depth of 21 ft puts Wilke Lake in the middle of Wisconsin's depth distribution. The lake is compact at 93 acres, with partial shoreline records and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Within Manitowoc County's 18 graded waters, Wilke Lake sits at rank 4, near the top of the local distribution.
Wilke Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. Walleye are documented at Wilke Lake, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. 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 2025-08-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7 ft. Phosphorus level: 16.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 16.5 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 21 ft |
| Surface Area | 93 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Wilke Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Wilke Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Wilke 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: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.157 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.73 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 18 lakes in Manitowoc County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Wilke Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Manitowoc County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Wilke Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 2003. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2026).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Wilke Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2018Wilke Lake comprehensive survey 2018Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2018 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-08-25
Monitoring stations: 2