Vilas
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Big Crooked Lake T42n R07e S06, in the Manitowish River Watershed, is a 665.31 acre lake that falls in Vilas 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 Vilas County Crooked (Big) Lake, T-42-N, R-7-E, Sections 6 and 7,
Big Crooked Lake is a drainage lake of very low fertility. It has slightly alkaline, clear water of very high transparency. The bottom materials consist principally of sand and gravel. Both the inlet and the outlet are small streams. Muskellunge and walleyes are the principal fish species present in the lake. The muskellunge is considered to be the common fish species, whereas the walleye is rated as abundant. Other game fish present are the large and smallmouth bass. In addition, a variety of pan fish are available. Rainbow trout have been introduced. Even though this lake has wonderful multiple use qualities and an excellent walleye fishery, public access is limited to a portage trail from Boulder Lake. Public use facilities are not available at present. The primary interest on the lake is controlled by a private estate or private resort. The lake has a significant value for fur bearers and is used as nesting sites for mallard and black ducks. The lake is also used on the spring and fall migrations by both puddle ducks and diving ducks. Canada geese also use the lake on the spring and fall migration. The lake presently is in a semiwilderness condition as a result of limited development.
Area = 682 Surface Acres, Maximum Depth = 34 feet
Date 1963
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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 |
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2338800 | Big Crooked Lake | 643122 | Big Crooked Lake - Deep Hole | 8/17/1973 | 3/13/1975 | Map | Data |
2338800 | Big Crooked Lake | 10006445 | Big Crooked Lake | 8/29/2000 | 9/21/2017 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Big Crooked Lake is located in the Manitowish River watershed which is 268.60 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (66.90%), wetland (19.10%) and a mix of open (13.30%) and other uses (0.70%). This watershed has 212.08 stream miles, 22,943.16 lake acres and 33,727.48 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Low for runoff impacts on streams, Low for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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.