Silver Lake, Lower Fox River - Illinois Watershed (FX02)
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Silver Lake, Lower Fox River - Illinois Watershed (FX02)
Silver Lake (747900)
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515.97 Acres
Natural Community
Deep Lowland
Year Last Monitored
2024
Good
 
Kenosha
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Deep Lowland
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

This is the 3rd largest lake in Kenosha County. It is primarily a warm water seepage lake but receives a large amount of drainage water in spring from 2 inlets on its north end. The most westerly inlet begins its drainage area at Krull Lake. The other drains adjacent wetlands. About 90% of the lake's watershed area is in agriculture, although most of its shoreline is developed and the Village of Silver Lake adjoins it.

Presently, the lake supports one of the best sport fisheries in this part of the state. Management is for northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye, and panfish. Walleye fingerlings are stocked on alternate years to evaluate survival and natural reproduction. Diving ducks are common during migratory flights in spring and fall. This indicates the generally high quality of the lake's waters. Most of the developments around the lake are connected to a sanitary sewerage district that eliminates septic systems pollution.

Presently, there are 1.3 miles of public frontage in a state-owned public access and a county park. The Village ofSilver Lake provides a public beach and controls some rights-of-way to the lake within the village limits. There are also 2 boat rentals.

Source: 1982, Surface Water Resources of Kenosha County

Silver Lake, TIN, R20E, Section 8, 9, 16, 17
Surface Acres = 464, Maximum Depth = 43 ft, Secchi disc = 5 ft

Date  1982

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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