East Alaska Lake, Ahnapee River Watershed (TK04)
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East Alaska Lake, Ahnapee River Watershed (TK04)
East Alaska Lake (94200)
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50.36 Acres
Natural Community
Deep Headwater
Year Last Monitored
2025
Good
 
Kewaunee
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

East Alaska Lake is Kewaunee County's largest lake. It is a 53-acre seepage/drainage lake up to 50 feet deep and fed by an intermittent inlet from West Alaska Lake. East Alaska Lake is eutrophic with fair water quality. Aquatic plants are abundant in the littoral zone (Rasman, n.d.), and algae is a periodic problem. One algae sample taken in 1988 was dominated by two species of blue-green algae, the least desirable kind (Rasman, 1988). Nonpoint sources of nutrients include golf course fertilizers, feedlot runoff and failing septic systems. The fishery has largemouth bass, panfish and walleye. Muskellunge are present in the lake from an experimental stocking. An annual fishing tournament occurs on the lake (Anon., 1993). The lake does show potential for winterkill, with hypolimnetic oxygen levels low during summer and winter stratification (Rasman, n.d.). Most of the shoreline is privately owned and developed and an active lake management organization exists. The lake has a boat landing for public access, a small resort and golf course. Water resources managers believe that polluted runoff from the golf course may be affecting water quality. East Alaska Lake ranked "high" in the nonpoint source evaluation for priority lake projects.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1966, Surface Water Resources of Kewaunee County East Alaska Lake, T24N, R25E, Sections 17, 20 Surface Acres = 47.9, S.D.F. = 1.58, Maximum Depth = 45 feet.

A small, clear, hard water seepage lake with intermittent inlet from West Alaska Lake and seasonal outlet to Lake Michigan. The fishery is comprised of muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, and panfishes with black crappies and yellow bullheads abundant. The muskellunge is not native and has been stocked experimentally. Public access, though somewhat difficult, is provided by a county road. Boats may be rented at the lake. Medium numbers of waterfowl utilize the lake in spring and fall, and mallards and blue-wing teal nest here. There are no adjoining wetlands. The lake has a record of having received spill from a nearby cheese factory.

Date  1966

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.