Moshawquit Lake, Lower Oconto River Watershed (GB03)
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Moshawquit Lake, Lower Oconto River Watershed (GB03)
Moshawquit Lake (454200)
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301.26 Acres
Natural Community
Deep Headwater
Year Last Monitored
2025
Good
 
Menominee
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Deep Headwater
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Moshawquit Lake, in the Lower Oconto River Watershed, is a 301.25 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

Moshawquit Lake - T-28-N, R-16-E, Section 24
Surface Area = 296 acres, S.D.F. = 1.24, Maximum Depth = 30 feet
A medium hard water drainage lake having clear, alkaline water
of moderate transparency. Sand is the principal Iittoral material
with minor areas of muck and a very limited area of gravel. Shore
line consists mostly of a coniferous -hardwood upland with a small
marsh wetland in the vicinity of the inlet. Most of the lake's
surface area is less than 20 feet deep. Moshawquit Lake is the
largest lake in Menominee County and has the most dwellings.
Northern pike, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow
bullhead, black bullhead, yellow perch, common sucker, and trout
constitute the fishery resource. Although not noted as a trout
lake, an occasional trout is caught. The resident trout presumably
come from the outlet stream known as Linzy Brook. Submerged
aquatic vegetation is quite heavy. Retention of the marsh areas
bordering the inlet and outlet streams is essential in order to
provide spawning areas for northern pike and sustain a natural
population of this species. Both the inlet and outlet streams are
navigable by small watercraft. The inlet affords navigable water
access to Pywaosit Lake, however, a low bridge necessitates a
portage. A company camping area is located on the northeast shore.
Seventeen dwellings are located on other shores. An inoperative
2-bay concrete stop log water control structure is located at the
outlet with potential for storage of approximately a 2-foot head.
Company roads adjoin the lake on the east, south and west shores.
Waterfowl make moderate use of the lake during the fall migration.

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.
Deep headwater 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.