Wolf Lake, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03)
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Wolf Lake, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03)
Wolf Lake (60800)
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75.02 Acres
Natural Community
Deep Lowland
Year Last Monitored
2025
Good
 
Fond Du Lac
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Deep Lowland
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

WOLF LAKE
T16N, R19E, Sections 10, 15, Fond Du Lac County, Sheboygan River Watershed
Surface Acres = 77.0, S.D.F. = 1.76, Maximum Depth = 47 feet

This is a relatively small lake, but is heavily used for swimming, boating, and fishing, due to its good water quality and the scarcity of other lakes nearby. The water remains clear throughout the year and aquatic vegetation is found in a relatively narrow band along shore. A small stream from Giltner's Lake is intermittently draining to Wilke Lake. Water quality is good and excessive aquatic plants or algae are not a problem, although agricultural ditching and wetland drainage in the sub-watershed are threats. Lake levels have fluctuated, causing use problems, but the recent construction of a control levee at the outlet has improved the condition. Direct drainage from lawn areas and groundwater impacts from septic systems may be nutrient threats.

The lake contains a good fish population, with walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, perch and bluegill in the fishery. Carp are present in the lake, but are not expected to interfere with present management. There is a county owned public use area which offers good swimming, boat rental, picnic area, and public boat launching, which was partly developed under the state cost sharing program for public access.

This is a 77-acre seepage/drainage lake with a maximum depth of 47 feet. Swimming, fishing and boating are common. Walleye, perch, bluegill and largemouth bass provide a good fishery. Wildlife uses are moderate as the shore zone is largely developed and contiguous wetlands are minimal.
Additional information on Wolf Lake is available within U.S. Geographical Survey lake monitoring reports, self-help program data and the Sheboygan River Priority Watershed Resource Appraisal Report (WDNR 1993). Recommendations have been developed for Wolf Lake, and are summarized in the Nonpoint Source Control Plan for the Sheboygan River Priority Watershed Project.

Aquatic Plants

A survey of aquatic plants was conducted on Wolf Lake. Table 45 lists the species observed during the survey. The lake appeared to be evenly populated with a mixture of Brittle Naiad (Najas marina), Eel Grass (Valisneria americana), Sago Pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus), and an unidentified pondweed (Potamogeton sp.)

Table 35. List of aquatic plants found in Wolf Lake, Manitowoc County
Common Name
Scientific Name
Water Lily (Unidentified)
Yellow Water Lily
White Water Lily
Eel Grass
Eurasian Watermilfoil

Watermilfoil (native)
Brittle Naiad
Richardson Pondweed
Curly Leaf Pondweed
Narrow Leaf Pondweed

Unidentified Pondweed
Bulrush
Musk grass
Naiad (unidentified)
Sago Pondweed

Coontail
Nuphar sp.
Nymphaea sp.
Valisneria americana
Myriophyllum spicatum

Myriophyllum sp.
Najas marina
Potamogeton richardsonii
Potamogeton crispus
Potamogeton sp.

Potamogeton sp.
Juncus sp.
Chara sp.
Najas sp.
Potamogeton pectinatus

Ceratophyllum demersum


Water Quality

The water quality of Wolf Lake was sampled on May 12, and September 13, 1994. On May 12, the lake was slightly stratified with a 5-degree stratification factor and a dissolved oxygen profile, which resembled the beginning of a typical clinograde profile. In September, the lake was well stratified with a 12.9-degree stratification factor: the thermocline was located between 20 and 30 feet, and the dissolved oxygen was 0.1 ppm at 25 feet and 0.0 ppm to the bottom. The secchi depth was 6.1 and 3.0 meters in May and September respectively (Wakeman 1996). The water clarity data collected by the Self-Help Volunteer is summarized in Figure 16. The spring and fall water clarity measurements in 1994 are similar to those collected by the volunteer.

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Overview

Trophic Status Index

The Trophic Status Index for Wolf Lake was calculated based upon the existing water quality information. Based upon the seven years of water quality information Wolf Lake can be classified as Mesotrophic (Figure 17).

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1969, Surface Water Resources of Fond du Lac County

Wolf Lake, T16N, R19E, Sections 10, 15
Surface Acres = 77.0, S.D.F. = 1.76, Maximum Depth = 47 feet
This is a relatively small lake, but is heavily used for
swimming, boating, and fishing, due to its high quality water and
the fact that there are no other lakes nearby. The water remains
clear throughout relatively narrow band along shore. The inlet
originates at Giltner's Lake, a small winterkill lake, and the
outlet flows into the Sheboygan River.
The lake contains a good fish population, with walleye,
northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish in the fishery. Carp
are present in the lake, but are not expected to interfere with
present management.
There is a county-owned public use area which offers good
swimming, boat rental, picnic area, and public boat launching,
which was partly developed under the state cost-sharing program
for public access.

Date  1969

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Deep lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.