Bear Lake, Lower Little Wolf River Watershed (WR06)
Bear Lake, Lower Little Wolf River Watershed (WR06)
Bear Lake (279700)
199.52 Acres
Natural Community
Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
Deep Lowland
Year Last Monitored
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
2024
Excellent
 
Waupaca
Trout Water 
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
No
Impaired Water 
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Deep Lowland
Deep lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
Attainable Use
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
Designated Use
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Bear Lake, in the Lower Little Wolf River Watershed, is a 199.52 acre lake that falls in Waupaca County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1971, Surface Water Resources of Waupaca County Bear Lake, T22, 23N, R13E, Sections 4, 5, 32, 33. Surface Acres = 193.7; S.D.F. = 1.86; Maximum Depth = 67 feet.

Marl, with lesser amounts of muck and sand, is the predominant bottom material in this hard water drainage lake. Spiegleberg Creek, a small tributary to the N.Br.Little Wolf River, flows through Bear Lake. Northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, perch, black crappie, green sunfish, rock bass, black bullhead, white sucker, and carp constitute the fishery. A few brown or rainbow trout are also present. Aquatic vegetation is not abundant. Great blue heron and bluewing teal use the lake as a nesting area. Puddle ducks can be found during spring and fall migrations. Aquatic furbearers are scarce. Hunting is allowed with permission. Use conflicts between fishermen and pleasure boaters has led to the establishment of a water skiing and speed boating zone. Developments include one resort, one boat livery, 68 cottages, and one private campground. A public boat landing is maintained by Waupaca County on the south side of the lake. Heavy grazing causes erosion and siltation in some areas. Additional pollutants enter the lake in the form of barnyard drainage.

Date  1971

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Recommendations

Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
This project will evaluate water quality improvement efforts made in the Bear Lake sub-watershed of the Lower Little Wolf RIver 319 Watershed by Waupaca County LWCD and NRCS.[TWA HUC12-040302021704]. This is a Section 319 project.

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

Watershed Characteristics

Bear Lake is located in the Lower Little Wolf River watershed which is 153.60 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (33.10%), forest (28.50%) and a mix of wetland (22.20%) and other uses (16.20%). This watershed has 189.20 stream miles, 1,038.51 lake acres and 21,932.16 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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.This water is ranked High Lake for individual Lakes based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.

Natural Community

Bear Lake is considered a Deep Lowland under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Deep lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.