Wolf Lake
Adams County, WisconsinOligotrophic
Wolf Lake sits at the top of the Wisconsin DNR grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Wisconsin. With clarity and phosphorus scored, the sub-grades cluster within a letter of each other, pointing to stable conditions rather than one specific stressor.
A TSI value of 40 puts Wolf Lake in the oligotrophic range, where biological productivity stays low and the water column remains clear. Wolf Lake is unusually deep for Wisconsin at 58 ft, which buffers the lake against summer warming and helps the deep water stay oxygenated. The lake is compact at 42 acres, with partial shoreline records and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Wolf Lake ranks 2 of 19 in Adams County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Wolf Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The fishery is bass-led, with 4 documented species across the lake's records. 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 2025-10-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 15 ft down. Phosphorus level: 13.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 15 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 13.1 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 58 ft |
| Surface Area | 42 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Wolf Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Wolf Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Wolf 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 | +1.282 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.35 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 19 lakes in Adams County
Nearby Lakes in Adams County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Wolf Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Washington County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 12.6 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 11 ft
Waukesha County · Clarity: 11.3 ft
Walworth County · Clarity: 20.2 ft
Kenosha County · Clarity: 10 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. Monitored by volunteers since 1990. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2026).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
DNR Reports & Resources
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries scientists publish multi-year survey reports for Wolf Lake covering fish populations, stocking, water quality, and management. 1 report on file.
- 2025Wolf Lake spring shocking survey, 2025Spring Shocking Survey · WI DNR · 2025 (PDF)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-10-24
Monitoring stations: 1