Wind Lake
Racine County, WisconsinEutrophic
Wind Lake earns a D — measurements through 2026 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer. High phosphorus is the leading drag on the score — likely from upland agriculture, lawn runoff, or in-lake sediment release.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. The lake bottoms out at 47 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. The lake's 919 acres and partial shoreline records put it in the mid-range bucket — large enough for varied use, small enough that watershed inputs reach the whole basin. Wind Lake ranks 6 of 7 in Racine County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
Wind Lake is on the Wisconsin infested-waters list for zebra mussels — boaters should follow clean-drain-dry protocols when moving gear to or from the lake. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 6 documented species — a notable draw for Wisconsin anglers. A documented public access point at Wind Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2026-04-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Wind Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 90.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 90.3 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 47 ft |
| Surface Area | 919 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
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.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.516 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -13.69 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 7 lakes in Racine County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Wind Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BDenoon LakeWaukesha County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CTichigan LakeRacine County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Racine County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Wind Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Wind Lake With Nearby Lakes
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 13 stations on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Wind Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Wind Lake (completed 1905), built primarily for recreation on the MUSKEGO CREEK; gravity-type dam, 7 ft tall and 120 ft long.
- Surface area
- 936 ac
- Normal storage
- 3,740 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 6,550 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 35 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Racine County
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID WI01115 · Operator website
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: 2026-04-29
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Wind Lake
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