Waushara
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Bughs Lake, in the Pine and Willow Rivers watershed, is a 23.46 acre lake that falls in Waushara county. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1970, Surface Water Resources of Waushara County Bughs Lake T-19-N, R-10-E, Section 36 Surface Acres = 25.2; S.D.F. = 1.18; Maximum Depth = 18.0 feet.
A small, landlocked, seepage-fed lake which exhibits a circular basin. The contours of the lake bottom drop off gradually, with no abrupt changes in depth. The littoral bottom materials consist of sand and muck. An early summer thermocline develops in the lake at approximately eight feet. Northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, perch and channel catfish represent the major fish species present in the lake. Bughs Lake was selected as one of two lakes in the Waushara and Portage County area to evaluate the effectiveness of partial chemical rehabili- tation of the fishery. The project was designed to partially reduce an over-populated and slow- growing bluegill population. The lake was treated in May 1962, followed by annual fish surveys to evaluate the growth and condition of fish subsequent to the treatment. Fishing for desirable sized bluegills was much improved for a period of two years. Excess natural reproduction has again caused a highly stunted bluegill population. In order to maintain a desirable fishery this lake would have to be treated every three to five years. The lake is subject to water level fluctuations during dry years. in spite of its landlocked basin and relative shallowness, the lake does not experience winterkill which is attributed to its oligotrophic (low in nutrients) nature. The watershed area of the lake is small, and is confined to the periphery of the lake. It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of the shoreline is developed with 32 cottages, many of which are year-round residences. A public access with parking is available on the west shore of the lake.
Date 1970
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
Recommendations
Lake Management Plan Development
Partnering with property owners, the Bughs Lake management district is sponsoring a grant to implement water quality and habitat best practices from Wisconsin's Healthy Lakes Implementation Plan. Best practices, including fish sticks, 350 sq. ft. native plantings, diversions, rock infiltration, and/or rain gardens, will be designed and installed according to the Healthy Lakes fact sheets, technical guidance and grant application.
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 |
|---|
| 102100 | Bughs Lake | 10056234 | Bughs Lake - C | 6/15/2022 | 7/13/2022 | Map | Data |
| 102100 | Bughs Lake | 10056232 | Bughs Lake - A | 6/15/2022 | 7/13/2022 | Map | Data |
| 102100 | Bughs Lake | 703116 | Bughs Lake - Deepest Spot | 6/28/2001 | 12/18/2023 | Map | Data |
| 102100 | Bughs Lake | 10007394 | Bughs Lake | 7/27/1999 | 6/15/2020 | Map | Data |
| 102100 | Bughs Lake | 704002 | Bughs Lake - Bughs Lake | 8/14/1979 | 8/14/1979 | Map | Data |
| 102100 | Bughs Lake | 10019335 | Bughs Lake -- Access | 7/3/1973 | 6/15/2020 | Map | Data |
| 102100 | Bughs Lake | 10056233 | Bughs Lake - B | 6/15/2022 | 7/13/2022 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Bughs Lake is located in the Pine and Willow Rivers watershed which is 302.08 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (34.40%), agricultural (27.80%) and a mix of wetland (19.20%) and other uses (18.70%). This watershed has 377.48 stream miles, 11,273.01 lake acres and 33,136.61 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.