Menominee
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Bass Lake, Lower, in the West Branch Wolf River Watershed, is a 111.07 acre lake that falls in Menominee County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Menominee County Bass Lake (Lower) - T-30-N, R-13-E, Section 12
A soft water seepage lake having alkaline, clear water of moderate transparency. Generally the littoral zone drops off rapidly and consists chiefly of a sand base mixed with fine gravel. Muck is present in the small coves and the northeast and northwest bays. A fine layer of organic material covers much of the sand bottom. The high shore line is wooded principally with hemlock, aspen and birch creating an area of high aesthetic value. A small wetland area of leatherleaf bog and tamarack is located in the northeast corner of the lake. Considerable fish cover is furnished by fallen snags. The growth of aquatic plants is sparse. Approximately 80 per cent of the lake surface area occupies the 10- 25 foot depth zone. Habitat conditions maintain a smallmouth bass- pan fish fishery although walleye and northern pike have been introduced but apparently failed to become established. Pumpkinseed, yellow perch and common sucker are other species present. Presently there are no developments located on the lake shore. Tertiary company roads are located on the lake at several points. Waterfowl make limited use of the lake during the fall migration.
Surface Area = 106 acres, S.D.F. = 2.29, Maximum Depth 7 35 feet
Date 1963
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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
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
| Project Name (Click for Details) | Year Started |
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Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 191700 | Bass Lakes | 10003961 | Lower Bass Lake | 7/27/1999 | 9/30/2017 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Bass Lakes is located in the West Branch Wolf River watershed which is 266.11 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (75.50%), wetland (13.90%) and a mix of agricultural (4.70%) and other uses (6.10%). This watershed has 219.07 stream miles, 1,704.90 lake acres and 19,841.26 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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.