Vilas
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Muskellunge Lake, in the Sugar Camp Creek Watershed, is a 269.87 acre lake that falls in Vilas County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.
Date 2015
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Muskellunge Lake (WBIC 1596600) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2014. The 2018 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; new chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Total phosphorus data were clearly below the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Muskellunge Lake (1596600) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; chlorophyll sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, however, total phosphorus were clearly below REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data were clearly below Fish and Aquatic Life listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
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
Watercraft Inspections Clean Boats, Clean Waters
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
| Project Name (Click for Details) | Year Started |
|---|
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lake Comprehensive Plan | 2004 |
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lake Association, Inc. 2017 CBCW | 2017 |
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lake Clean Boats Clean Waters Project 2014 | 2014 |
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lake Water Quality Assessment, Phase 2 | 2000 |
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lake Association, Inc. 2018 CBCW | 2018 |
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lk Clean Boats Clean Waters 2013 Program | 2013 |
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lake Eurasian Watermilfoil Control Grant | 2021 |
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lake Association | 2016 |
| MUSKELLUNGE LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Muskellunge Lake Water Quality Assessment - Phase 1 | 2000 |
| TOWN OF CLOVERLAND: Cloverland Boat Inspection for AIS | 2006 |
| Fish Propagation Actions | 2001 |
| TOWN OF CLOVERLAND: Town of Cloverland Lakes Management Planning Project | 2009 |
|
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10050652 | NE Bay - Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County | 3/17/2018 | 12/31/2022 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10050651 | West Bay - Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County | 3/17/2018 | 8/28/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10055157 | Muskellunge Lake - Area B | 6/23/2021 | 6/30/2021 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10050649 | East Bay - Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County | 3/17/2018 | 1/11/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10018666 | Muskellunge Lake - Access off Muskie Landing Road | 5/7/2000 | 6/8/2021 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10050661 | North Bay - Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County | 3/17/2018 | 8/28/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 643554 | Muskellunge Lake - SE Tributary Near Eagle River WI | 10/19/2000 | 9/28/2001 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 643137 | Muskellunge Lake - Deep Hole | 8/12/1973 | 10/11/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10005997 | Muskellunge Lake (WBIC 1596600) | 7/27/1999 | 5/31/2022 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10055158 | Muskellunge Lake - Area C | 6/23/2021 | 6/30/2021 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10050660 | SW Bay - Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County | 3/17/2018 | 9/1/2019 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10050662 | Aerator Hole N - Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County | 3/17/2018 | 1/11/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1596600 | Muskellunge Lake | 10055156 | Muskellunge Lake - Area A | 6/23/2021 | 6/30/2021 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Muskellunge Lake is located in the Sugar Camp Creek watershed which is 187.99 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (58.50%), wetland (24.70%) and a mix of open (13.40%) and other uses (3.50%). This watershed has 123.61 stream miles, 11,669.73 lake acres and 30,139.17 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Medium 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.