Waushara
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
A moderate-sized lake with an irregular basin located near Hancock. About 75 percent of the lake is greater than 20 feet in depth. The limited littoral zone is characterized by bottom types consisting primarily of sand, gravel and silt. The lake is landlocked and has no inlet or outlet, with the primary water source being seepage. The lake exhibits good water quality and clarity. It is interesting to note that comparitive water analysis between 1949 and 1964 showed almost a twofold increase in overall fertility of the lake. Midsummer thermocline develop between 15 and 21 feet. The major fish species in the lake include northern pike, walleye, perch, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, bullheads, and white suckers. The lake is primarily managed for northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. The walleye population present is the result of stocking fingerling and adult walleyes when these species are available. Most walleyes that are caught on hook and line in the lake are caught incidental to fishing for other species. Adjoining habitat provides opportunities for nesting of bluewing teal. The area also serves as a resting area for puddle ducks, diving ducks, coot and geese during the fall of the year. A portion of the shoreline is included in the Greenwood waterfowl refuge. There are 92 cottages or dwellings, five resorts, five boat rentals, two campgrounds and one private camp on the shoreline. Access is available from two town roads. The access provided by the township has adequate frontage of about 0.4 miles.
Source: 1970, Surface Water Resources of Waushara County Fish Lake (Near Hancock) T19N, R8,9E, Sections 12, 13, 18 Surface Acres = 177.0; S.D.F. = 2.24, Maximum Depth = 42 feet
Date 1970
Author Aquatic Biologist
General Condition
Fish Lake (985000) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was also assessed for chlorides and sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM chronic and acute listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water is meeting these designated uses and is not considered impaired.
Date 2015
Author Ashley Beranek
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 985000 | Fish Lake | 703025 | Fish Lake - West Basin-Deep Hole | 11/5/1980 | 3/28/2024 | Map | Data |
| 985000 | Fish Lake | 703104 | Fish Lake (Near Hancock) - East Lobe - Deep Spot | 8/19/2003 | 3/28/2024 | Map | Data |
| 985000 | Fish Lake | 10018619 | Fish Lake -- Access | 7/30/2011 | 11/8/2019 | Map | Data |
| 985000 | Fish Lake | 10040975 | Fish Lake - Monitoring Well | 8/2/2013 | 9/15/2018 | Map | Data |
| 985000 | Fish Lake | 10018690 | Fish Lake -- Access Hancock - Off Cty G | 6/9/2009 | 6/18/2017 | Map | Data |
| 985000 | Fish Lake | 10048638 | Fish Lake - Staff Gage | 6/20/2017 | 6/14/2018 | Map | Data |
| 985000 | Fish Lake | 10007472 | Fish Lake (Town of Hancock) | 7/27/1999 | 8/10/2023 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Fish Lake is located in the Big Roche A Cri Creek watershed which is 177.00 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (51.50%), agricultural (31.10%) and a mix of wetland (7.10%) and other uses (10.30%). This watershed has stream miles, lake acres and 11,429.84 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Low for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.