Wishbone Lake
Wishbone Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 4.8 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 40 ft. Surface area: 17 acres.
- Clarity
- 4.8 ft
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Area
- 17 acres
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
Next lake in Bayfield County
Why Wishbone Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when its monitoring record clears the evidence bar: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Wishbone Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded water clarity, but not phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by WI DNR and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Wishbone Lake is a 17-acre lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 40 feet. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Panfish and Largemouth Bass.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2023-08-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Wishbone Lake
These readings exist but do not meet the evidence bar for an A–F grade — see why.
Murky, only visible to about 4.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Wishbone Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Wishbone Lake in Bayfield 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 Wishbone Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 40 ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Wishbone Lake
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages.
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 | +0.75 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.5 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Graded lakes near Wishbone Lake
Wishbone Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Bayfield County
Frequently asked questions about Wishbone Lake
What is the water quality grade for Wishbone Lake?
- Wishbone Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 4.8 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 40 ft. Surface area: 17 acres.
Is Wishbone Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Wishbone Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Wishbone Lake?
- Wishbone Lake has a maximum depth of 40 feet. The lake covers 17 acres.
What fish are in Wishbone Lake?
- Fish species found in Wishbone Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass. Wishbone Lake is located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
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Where this data comes from
2 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Eastern Regional Office
USFSEASTERN2 samples · 2021–2023
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
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes