Sheboygan
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No
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Crystal Lake is a large, moderately fertile, natural lake; heavily used lake for
fishing and boating. The presence of a resort and 181 cottages confirms
its value as a desirable recreational lake. Two small islands enhance
its character. The management of the lake's fishery has been a
controversial issue for many years--walleyes or trout? Changing
ecological factors have denied walleyes natural reproduction and
survival. In the best interest of the public andthe lake's capacity,
rainbow and brown trout are stocked annually, diversifying the fishery to
bass, panfish and trout. A property owners association maintains an
annual program of aquatic plant and algae control, reflecting a major use
problem. In the fall of 1966, a sanitary district was organized with
potential for a future cooperative sewage system, rather than individual
septic tanks. A public boat launching access with parking is available
in the SW bay, but parking is inadequate during peak use times.
Crystal Lake T16N, R21E, Section 31, 32
Surface Acres = 113.7, S.D.F. = 1.87, Maximum Depth = 61 feet
Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Sheboygan County
Date 1968
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
At 113.7 acres, Crystal Lake is a moderately fertile, natural lake, heavily used for fishing and boating. The lake's shoreline is intensively developed with residential dwellings. Many property owners have reinforced the shoreline with seawalls that have detracted from the aesthetic quality as well as the fisheries value. In the autumn of 1966, a sanitary district was organized and sewers were installed in the late 1970s.
The lake's fishery has undergone several major changes over the past 35 years due to shifts in management philosophy. Over time it has been managed for walleye and northern pike, then trout and panfish, then largemouth bass and panfish. It is currently being managed for the native fish community: largemouth bass, panfish and with limited walleye due to stocking by private organizations. The existing bass and panfish community is improving due in part to the new bass size limit restrictions.
Historically, the lake was chemically treated to control aquatic plants and algae. In 1989, the DNR conducted a Sensitive Area Survey of the lake and as a result prohibited the use of aquatic herbicides and algicides in an attempt to protect the fish habitat and the water quality.
Since 1986, the water quality, aquatic plant community, and phyto- and zooplankton have been surveyed to obtain baseline water quality data and to assess trends. The results from this survey indicate that the water quality is excellent. The lake boasts some of the clearest water found in southeastern Wisconsin. A significant amount of Eurasian water milfoil is present in Crystal Lake. The DNR, in cooperation with the Crystal Lake Property Owners Association, attempted to displace the Eurasian water milfoil with a native species, Large Leaf Pondweed during the summer of 1994. The control program was effective for only a few years. By 1997 Eurasian water milfoil had again moved into the area displacing the newly planted native species (Wakeman 1998).
A public boat launch with adequate parking is available in the southwest bay. A unique boating ordinance on the lake prohibits the use of motors on Sundays. This is strongly supported by residents on the lake.
CRYSTAL LAKE, SHEBOYGAN COUNTY
T16N R21E Sec. 31; Surface Acres = 113.7; S.D.F. = 1.87; Maximum Depth = 61 feet
Date 2001
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Crystal Lake (45200) was placed on the impaired waters list for Mercury in fish tissue in 1998. This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. This lake is considered impaired for Fish Consumption use and meeting REC and FAL uses.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Recommendations
Monitor Fish Tissue
Crystal Lake confirm fish advice - previously listed water from before 2000.
Protect Riparian or Shorelands
Promote shoreland restoration practices among Crystal Lake shoreland owners to improve water quality and fish habitat.
Monitor Targeted Area
Continue to support the Crystal Lake water level studies.
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 45200 | Crystal Lake | 10005751 | Crystal Lake | 6/1/1986 | 8/4/2023 | Map | Data |
| 45200 | Crystal Lake | 10017562 | Crystal Lake -- Access at S Side Of Lake Nr County Hwy C | 7/3/2005 | 3/19/2024 | Map | Data |
| 45200 | Crystal Lake | 603120 | Crystal Lake - Deep Hole | 3/17/1975 | 4/10/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Crystal Lake is located in the Mullet River watershed which is 88.19 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (38.90%), forest (21.40%) and a mix of grassland (17.90%) and other uses (21.80%). This watershed has 97.54 stream miles, 789.87 lake acres and 6,609.38 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.