Greater Bass Lake, Upper Eau Claire River Watershed (CW22)
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Greater Bass Lake, Upper Eau Claire River Watershed (CW22)
Greater Bass Lake (1445500)
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244.05 Acres
Natural Community
Shallow Lowland
Year Last Monitored
2025
Excellent
 
This lake is impaired
Mercury Contaminated Fish Tissue
Mercury
 
Langlade
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Shallow Lowland
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Greater Bass Lake is a very soft water drainage lake having acid, light brown water of moderate transparency. The inlet stream is drainage from Summit Lake and the outlet flows to Water Power Lake. The immediate shoreline is predominantly hardwood upland (95%) with the remainder being wetland of bog, shrub and conifer. Lake bottom materials are composed of sand (55%), muck (25%), gravel (15%), rubble (4%), and boulders (1%). Aquatic vegetation is sparse. Fish species known to inhabit this lake include muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, black crappie, pumpkinseed, and white sucker. A public boat landing with limited parking is located on the west shore near the outlet. Navigable water access is possible with small craft via the outlet stream. Shoreline developments include 165 dwellings; one resort was formerly present, but has recently been subdivided. Of the 6.90 miles of shoreline 0.02 mile is public and controlled by the Town of Upham.

Source: 1977, Surface Water Resources of Langlade County Greater Bass Lake T-33-N, R-10-E, Sec. 12, Surface Acres = 246.3, Maximum Depth = 27 feet, Secchi Disk 7 feet.

Date  1977

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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.
Shallow 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.