Waushara
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
A large, moderately fertile lake located partially within the village limits of Hancock. The lake is landlocked, and its basin is somewhat elongated. The littoral bottom materials consist primarily of sand and muck. The lake is quite shallow, with approximately 40 percent of its area having depths less than three feet. Dense beds of aquatic vegetation choke nearly one-half of the lake during the summer months. Following severe winterkills (winters of 1958--59; 1962--63; 1964--65), the lake was stocked and managed for northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. The most abundant panfish species are bluegills; perch and pumpkinseed are present in fewer numbers. Northern pike dominate the fishery. The lake was chemically treated in 1959. Walleye fry and fingerling stocking bass been tried in the past, but without success in establishing the species. Future management will be primarily reintroduction of fish following severe winterkills. Pine Lake is a popular ice fishing lake for northerns and bluegills. Water level fluctuations up to five feet, winterkill, abundant aquatic vegetation, and periodic algae blooms discourage recreational use of the lake and create management problems. The lake is used primarily for swimming and fishing. There are 24 cottages or dwellings on the lake. Approximately 25 acres of shallow marsh adjoin the lake, providing habitat for nesting bluewing teal and wood ducks. Puddle ducks, diving ducks, coots, and swans use the area during seasonal migrations. Hunting is not permitted because one-half of the lake is within the village limits of Hancock. Public access on the east end is reached by a county road where parking and boat launching are available.
Source: 1970, Surface Water Resources of Waushara County Pine (Hancock) Lake T-19-N, R-8-E, Sections 10, 11 Surface Acres =163; S.D.F. = 1.29; Maximum Depth = 15 feet
Date 1970
Author Aquatic Biologist
General Condition
Pine (Hancock) Lake (WBIC 1012000) was evaluated in 2014, 2018, and 2020 for phosphorus and algae levels and was found to be in good condition. This lake is on the healthy waters list.
Date 2019
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 |
|---|
| 1012000 | Pine Lake | 703061 | Pine Lake - Deep Hole | 7/9/1991 | 6/18/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1012000 | Pine Lake | 10044861 | Hancock (Pine) Lake - West [Herbicide Monitoring Site A] | 5/18/2016 | 7/4/2016 | Map | Data |
| 1012000 | Pine Lake | 10047102 | Pine Lake (Hancock) - Monitoring Well | 1/1/2016 | 6/14/2018 | Map | Data |
| 1012000 | Pine Lake | 10017330 | Hancock Lake -- Winter Sampling | | | Map | Data |
| 1012000 | Pine Lake | 10019075 | Pine Lake (Hancock) -- Access at 6th Ave | 7/10/1973 | 11/8/2019 | Map | Data |
| 1012000 | Pine Lake | 10030911 | Pine Lake -- Canoe Launch off North Lake St. | | | Map | Data |
| 1012000 | Pine Lake | 10044862 | Hancock (Pine) Lake - East [Herbicide Monitoring Site C] | 5/18/2016 | 7/4/2016 | Map | Data |
| 1012000 | Pine Lake | 10007385 | Pine Lake (Town of Hancock) | 7/27/1999 | 8/1/2023 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Pine 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.