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Wind Lake

Polk County, WisconsinMesotrophic

Wind Lake sits at the top of the Wisconsin DNR grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Wisconsin. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

A TSI near 45 places Wind Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. At 39 acres, Wind Lake sits below the Wisconsin median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Within Polk County's 74 graded waters, Wind Lake sits at rank 13, near the top of the local distribution.

An invasive species record — Chinese Mystery Snail — has been logged at Wind Lake; Wisconsin DNR maintains the official infested-waters list. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 4 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. 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 2025-09-01. 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 10 ft. Phosphorus level: 17.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)10 ftB
Phosphorus17.2 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)45Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Surface Area39 acres

Fish Species

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

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

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

Wind 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.

Chinese Mystery SnailCurly-Leaf PondweedPurple Loosestrife

Water Quality Trend: Improving

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

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Stable+0.014 m/yr6
Phosphorus Improving-0.63 µg/L/yr6
See year-by-year chart →

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #13 of 74 lakes in Polk County

Nearby Lakes in Polk County

WI DNR Lake Profile

Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1986. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).

DNR Assessment
Excellent · Reservoir lake
Trophic State Index 44 (mesotrophic) · 5-year average

Fish Species (DNR-rated)

Panfish(Common)Largemouth Bass(Common)Northern Pike(Present)Walleye(Present)

EPA Impairment Status

Wind Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5R).

Causes of impairment

Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10004943 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.49 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes

Most recent sample: 2025-09-01

Monitoring stations: 1

Where to stay near Wind Lake

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

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