Pine Lake, Oconomowoc River Watershed (UR09)
Return to Search
Pine Lake, Oconomowoc River Watershed (UR09)
Pine Lake (779200)
Go to Lakes Page
710.54 Acres
Natural Community
Two-Story
Year Last Monitored
2025
Excellent
 
Waukesha
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Two-Story
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

This 703-acre lake is a large elongated basin in the interlobate moraine. The bays
comprising the irregular shore are smaller adjoining basins. The lake is primarily spring-fed but receives some water from Beaver Lake's outflow in wetter years and has its own outflow to North Lake and Cornell Lake in wet seasons. The water is clear and the bottom is mostly gravel. The fishery includes panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye, with cisco providing a popular winter fishery.

The Pine Lake Association has not been active with any WDNR programs. The most recent activity on Pine Lake centers around the new public boat launch at the north end of the lake. Before completion of the launch and parking lot in late 1994, visiting boaters would have to park their cars more a quarter-mile away, then walk back to the launch.

In 1991, WDNR staff identified two sensitive areas on the lake. Management restrictions on these areas include bans on aquatic herbicide use, filling, pea gravel blankets, aquatic plant screens, and sea walls composed of concrete, timber or steel.

Zebra mussels have been identified in the watershed, but not in the lake. Pine Lake is most susceptible to these exotic invaders via boat transport.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Waukesha County

Pine Lake T8N, R18E
Surface Acres = 703, S.D.F. = 1.96, Maximum Depth = 85 feet
A large elongated basin in the interlobate moraine. The bays
which make up the irregular shore are in effect smaller adjoining
basins. The lake is primarily spring fed but receives some water
from Beaver Lake's outflow in "wet" years and has an outflow itself
to North Lake and Cornell Lake only in wet seasons. The water is
clear and the bottom is mostly gravel. The fishery consists of pan
fish, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleyes and cisco. The
latter provides for a popular winter fishery. Public access is
provided by a town road, however parking is prohibited within about
one-half mile of the access by ordinance of the Village of Chenequa
which encompasses this area. There are no adjoining wetlands of
importance to wildlife.

Date  1963

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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.
Shallow headwater 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.