Lac La Belle, Oconomowoc River Watershed (UR09)
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Lac La Belle, Oconomowoc River Watershed (UR09)
Lac La Belle (848800)
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1153.74 Acres
Natural Community
Two-Story
Year Last Monitored
2025
Poor
 
This lake is impaired
Impairment Unknown, PCBs Contaminated Fish Tissue
Total Phosphorus, PCBs
 
Waukesha
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Lac La Belle is a 1,164-acre mesotrophic, natural drainage lake on the Oconomowoc River in Waukesha County (WDNR, 1994). Its shoreline has been extensively developed and urban polluted runoff is a problem. There is a lack of good natural habitat for fish reproduction, resulting in the need to stock game fish (WDNR, 1994). Non-native Eurasian watermilfoil dominates the aquatic vegetation. The lake will be sampled twice a year, every five years.

Rosenow Creek and an unnamed stream are additional tributaries. A grill structure on the outlet maintains water levels and deters rough fish movement. The fishery in the lake consists of northern pike, largemouth bass, pan fish and walleyes. Muskellunge have become established through downstream movement from Okauchee. Other species are yellow perch, smallmouth bass and bullhead. Aquatic plants are not considered a major use problem. Attempts have been made to increase the diversity of aquatic plants in the lake and curb growth of Eurasian water milfoil. The overabundant carp population prompted WDNR staff to implement a control program involving rotenone poisoning, panfish and flathead catfish stocking, and habitat improvement projects including walleye spawning reefs and half logs. Ample access is provided by city parks and streets, however, access is difficult on the west and north shores.

The Lac La Belle Lake Management District is very active. Members have organized a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to preserving the natural resources around Lac La Belle. They have also participated in developing and implementing an Eurasian watermilfoil control program to increase the diversity of aquatic vegetation in the lake. They have aggressively tackled poor erosion control practices and stormwater management concerns. They have been willing participants in carp control projects and habitat improvement projects sponsored by WDNR.

In 1990, WDNR water resources managers identified sensitive areas on Lac La Belle. Any area with significant aquatic vegetation was identified as a sensitive area because of the overall scarcity and low aquatic plant diversity in the lake. The management implications for these areas included discontinuing the use of aquatic herbicides, pea gravel, aquatic plant screens, concrete, timber or steel seawalls.

In 1991, the Lac La Belle Lake Management District received a Wisconsin Lake Management Planning Grant to conduct surveys of riparian boat use, lake use, public access availability, comparison of 1990 creel survey, water quality analysis and inlake sensitive areas mapping. The results included a final report and a guidebook that provided lake management district residents with information on the water quality of Lac La Belle and how their actions affect the lake.

Adult zebra mussels have been identified in Lac La Belle.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Waukesha County Lac Labelle T8N, R17E,

A large natural drainage lake on the Oconomowoc River. Rosenow Creek and an unnamed stream are added water sources. A grill structure on the outlet maintains water levels and provides a deterrent to rough fish movement. The fishery consists of northern pike, largemouth bass, pan fish and walleyes. other species are yellow perch, smallmouth bass and bullheads. Weeds are a major-use problem; carp are common but do not pose a serious use problem at present. Ample access is provided by city parks and streets in oconomowoc, however, access is difficult on the west and north shores.. The population dynamics of the walleye are currently under study by the Fishery Research Section of the Wisconsin Conservation Department.

Surface Acres - 1, 117, S.D.F. = 1.90, Maximum Depth = 46 feet

Date  1963

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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.