Windigo Lake
Windigo Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 11 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 15.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 51 ft. Surface area: 503 acres.
- Clarity
- 11 ft
- Max depth
- 51 ft
- Area
- 503 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Sawyer County
Windigo Lake is a 503-acre mesotrophic lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 51 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Sawyer County, Windigo Lake ranks #21 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2023-08-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLow algae
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.
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
Good clarity, visible to about 11 ft. Phosphorus level: 15.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 43.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 15.6 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Windigo Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Windigo Lake in Sawyer 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 Windigo Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 51 ft |
| Surface Area | 503 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- LandgrafPublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Windigo Lake
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2023).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.95 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.75 µg/L/yr | 4 |
EPA Impairment Status
Windigo Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10004070 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #21 of 45 lakes in Sawyer County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Windigo Lake holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Sawyer County
Frequently asked questions about Windigo Lake
What is the water quality grade for Windigo Lake?
- Windigo Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 11 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 15.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 51 ft. Surface area: 503 acres.
Is Windigo Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Windigo Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Windigo Lake?
- Windigo Lake has a maximum depth of 51 feet. The lake covers 503 acres.
What fish are in Windigo Lake?
- Fish species found in Windigo Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye. Windigo Lake is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.
Are there boat ramps on Windigo Lake?
- Windigo Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Landgraf. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Windigo 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 Sawyer County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its grade
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
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Where this data comes from
25 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX25 samples · 2020–2023
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