Pilgrim Center Beach, Green Lake, Big Green Lake Watershed (UF07)
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Pilgrim Center Beach, Green Lake, Big Green Lake Watershed (UF07)
Pilgrim Center Beach, Green Lake (146100)
0.04 Miles
0 - 0.04
Natural Community
Two-Story
Year Last Monitored
2025
Unknown
 
Green Lake
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Two-Story
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Historical Description

Source: 1971, Surface Water Resources of Green Lake County Big Green Lake, T-15, 16-N, E-12, 13-E Surface Acres = 7,325; S.D.F. = 1.77 Maximum Depth = 229 feet.

Big Green Lake is without doubt, the most important singlewater resource in Green Lake County. At 229 feet it is not only the deepest natural inland lake in the state but, also between the Finger Lakes of New York and the Rocky Mountains (Frey, 1963). A hydrographic map of Big Green Lake is shown in Figure 13. Big Green Lake is situated in a large preglacial valley formed by the action of some forgotten river. The Cary glacier scoured this valley depositing a large recessional moraine across its western end and was successful in damming a glacial river causing it to flood the scoured valley and overflow into the present day Puchyan-Fox drainage system. In reality Big Green Lake is a natural impoundment (Juday, 1914). The watershed of Big Green Lake is mostly in agriculture and covers some 115 square miles. Silver Creek on the east end of the lake is the largest tributary but Spring Creek on the west also contributes significantly. Roy Creek, Hill Creek, Dakin Creek, and White Creek, also drain into Big Green Lake but are minor tributaries. The outlet is the Puchyan River which drains into the Fox River six miles northwest of the City of Green Lake. A dam constructed on the outlet maintains the water level about five feet higher than the natural lake basin. Littoral bottom materials consist primarily of and gravel. Bedrock, silt, and muck are also present to a more limited extent. Fish cover is provided primarily by rocks and boulders and sparse aquatic vegetation. Big Green is an oligotrophic (Figure 14) lake managed for both cold and warm water fish. Cold water species include brown and rainbow trout, splake, cisco, and lake trout. Most common warm water species are northern pike, walleye, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass, white bass, channel catfish, and black bullhead. Pumpkinseed, carp, and white sucker are also present. The lake is well known for the excellent summer and winter fishing it offers.

Date  1971

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

The lake offers a wide variety of recreation uses. Boating, sailing, water skiing, fishing, hunting, swimming, and diving are popular. In addition, there are many lakeshore activities such as sunbathing, picnicking, and the intangible aesthetic values of the lake. Some use conflicts are present. A number of property owners desire weed removal from their shore area, while fishermen and conservationists are desirous of maintaining the aquatic plants for the benefit of the fishery. At one time the property owners association asked that ice fishing be prohibited because of sanitation and litter problems involved. High power motor boats and water skiers often conflict with fishermen and sailboaters. A recent regulation designed to protect undersize lake trout by prohibiting ice fishing with minnows at depths greater than fifty feet received much local criticism. Tourism is met with disfavor by many residents. Development consists of over 500 dwellings, several resorts, and boat rentals offering over 100 boats for rent. Charter boats are available for lake trout trolling as well as professional guides for fishermen not familiar with the lake. The City of Green Lake is located at the outlet. The presence of all this development is a constant threat toover enrichment or eutrophication which if unchecked will eventually depreciate water quality. The Green Lake Sanitary District has been established to prevent pollution and protect the water quality. Its protective impact remains to be evaluated. Public access to Big Green is well developed. One county park with a large parking area and six boat ramps is present at the southwest corner. Other public facilities present at this park include a confection stand, beach, toilets, picnic area, and bath houses. Other access is available through seven town roads, two with boat ramps, and one county road with parking and two launching ramps. The City of Green Lake maintains two parks and two streets that provide access to the lake. Navigable water access via Silver Creek and Puchyan River is also present.

Date  1971

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.
Shallow 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.