White Clay Lake, Shawano Lake Watershed (WR15)
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White Clay Lake, Shawano Lake Watershed (WR15)
White Clay Lake (326400)
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236.47 Acres
Natural Community
Deep Lowland
Year Last Monitored
2025
Poor
 
This lake is impaired
Impairment Unknown, Excess Algal Growth
Total Phosphorus
 
Shawano
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

White Clay Lake is a hard water spring lake having alkaline, clear water of moderate transparency. Littoral materials consist of muck and marl (99 percent) and some sand. The shoreline is predominantly wetland (90 percent) of the marsh type. Fish species inhabiting this lake are northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed, black bullhead, longnose gar and carp. Puddle ducks use this lake as a nesting site. Puddle ducks, diving ducks, coots, swan, blue, snow and Canada geese use this lake on their spring and/or fall migrations. Commercial facilities consist of one resort and one boat rental. There is one dwelling located on the shoreline. Tho outlet stream, Pickerel Creek, is tributary to Mud Lake (T27N,R17E) and in the Shawano Lake Watershed.

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Shawano County White Clay Lake, T27N, R17E, Section 23 Surface Acres = 256.0, S.D.F.= 1.56, Maximum Depth = 45 feet.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

White Clay lake is a hard water spring fed lake having clear water of moderate transparency. The shoreline is predominately wetland with the littoral materials consisting of muck and marl. The surrounding land use is predominately agriculture with an assumed significant nutrient nonpoint loading. As part on a priority watershed project in the 1980’s, the direct barnyard discharge on the north shore was eliminated. White clay is one of the lakes selected for long term water quality monitoring by Department staff. A citizen lake monitoring volunteer collects sechi disc depths. Up to date water quality data can be found in the SWIMS data base.

A whole lake aquatic macrophyte survey was conducted by Department Research staff in 2005 using the point intercept method and no EWM was found. Several years ago Eurasian water milfoil was discovered in the lake but no control has been initiated.

Date  2010

Author  James Reyburn

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.