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Petenwell Lake
Enhanced dataInteractive depth contours
Petenwell LakeAdams County, WI
Contours load with map Access
Interactive depth contours5-foot typical interval · Sonar-derived depth (C-MAP Genesis) · Gaps interpolated · Not for navigation
Source: C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived)high confidence · QA passed · Select a contour to inspect its mapped depthDepths decoded from C-MAP Genesis Social Map community sonar recordings (used with permission), covering 20% of the lake. Small gaps between recordings are smoothly connected; larger unrecorded areas follow the lake's depth model calibrated to the DNR-documented 44-ft maximum depth. More accurate than a pure model, but still an estimate. Not for navigation.LakeList assistant
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Fishing forecast
Best windows for Petenwell Lake
Weather-based planning built from the National Weather Service hourly forecast near this lake.
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Water temperature
Petenwell Lake water temperature today
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
73°FWarm
Seasonal estimate. Checking current National Weather Service air temperatures…
Comfortable summer pattern. Bass and panfish are active; early and late hours beat the midday heat.
Estimates are modeled, not measured. Actual temperatures vary with depth, wind mixing, and recent weather — verify conditions before swimming, boating, or heading onto ice.
DNR water check
Water quality quick take
From Wisconsin DNR / Citizen Lake Monitoring readings at Petenwell Flowage - 1 Mi Se Longview Pt.
Sampled Jun 2026Volunteer monitoring since 2005
Murky, algae-prone water — summer clarity of 2.1 ft ranks among the lowest of monitored Wisconsin lakes.
Based on July–August 2025 averages across 4 volunteer readings.Water claritySecchi disk depth
2.1 ftJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
MurkyDeclining — down ~17% vs earlier years
Clearer than 2% of 596 monitored Wisconsin lakes with current readings.
AlgaeChlorophyll-a
100 µg/LJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
HighWorsening — up ~197% vs earlier years
No recent nutrient readings — last measured 2015.
All readings by year · station details · methodology
Summer averages (July/August)
July/August means; counts in parentheses show how many samples went into each average.
| Year | Secchi | Chlorophyll-a | Total phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.1 ft (2) | 100.0 µg/L (2) | 108.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2023 | 1.8 ft (3) | 113.0 µg/L (1) | 185.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2022 | 2.4 ft (6) | 68.0 µg/L (1) | 135.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2021 | 2.4 ft (5) | 23.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2020 | 2.3 ft (8) | 23.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2019 | 2.9 ft (4) | 48.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2018 | 2.3 ft (6) | 164.0 µg/L (1) | 179.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2017 | 2.8 ft (6) | 27.0 µg/L (1) | 124.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2016 | 2.2 ft (6) | 39.5 µg/L (2) | 103.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2015 | 1.9 ft (10) | 141.0 µg/L (2) | 172.5 µg/L (2) |
Latest individual samples: Secchi 2 ft (2026-06-20), chlorophyll-a 57 µg/L (2025-08-30), and total phosphorus 108 µg/L (2025-07-26).
Secchi clarity is how deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface — more feet means clearer water.
Chlorophyll-a is an algae pigment; higher values signal more algae in the water column.
Total phosphorus is a nutrient that feeds algae and aquatic plants. It is not a weed survey — depth, bottom type, water movement, and management change the actual lake experience.
Petenwell Flowage - 1 Mi Se Longview PtStation 013169
Modeled from DNR/CLMN monitoring — not a safety or swim-condition report. Verify current conditions locally. LakeList verified 2026-07-12.Official Wisconsin information
Plan with DNR sources
LakeList links to the authoritative record so you can verify maps, rules, and current notices before leaving.
Historical DNR depth maps2 converted map sheetsView DNR depth mapHistorical map · not for navigationFishing regulationsVerify current seasons, limits, and restrictionsOfficial DNR lake pageFacts, advisories, boating, and water qualityWater quality reportsMonitoring stations, clarity, and DNR reportsInvasive speciesVerified, observed, and historical AIS recordsBoating ordinancesLocal slow-no-wake and water-use restrictionsFish consumption advisoriesStatewide and waterbody-specific health guidance
Historical depth maps are not for navigation. Verify regulations and access at the official source before your trip.
Historical Wisconsin DNR maps
Petenwell Lake depth maps
2 converted map sheets. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Petenwell Lake · sheet 1
Pan, zoom, and inspect the converted Wisconsin DNR historical map image in the browser. Historical survey — not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin DNR · WBIC 1377100 · image navigation only; spatial alignment pending · Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Converted for browser access with source URLs, checksums, and retrieval dates retained. Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Wisconsin DNR fisheries survey
Fish population survey
Structured LakeList extraction from the 2025 DNR fisheries survey. Population estimates, density, and catch-rate indices use different units, methods, and scopes, so each value is presented in its original form rather than normalized against a different measure.
Survey indicatorsValues keep their source unit and method; unlike measures are not scaled or compared.
Management contextPetenwell Flowage flathead catfish population sampled in the riverine survey area between Nekoosa Dam and Petenwell Lake. The report distinguishes a flowage super-population estimate from a survey-area abundance estimate.
The 2025 low-pulse electrofishing survey captured 44 flathead catfish over eight miles. The report found consistent natural reproduction, good size structure, trophy opportunity and increasing recapture frequency, and modeled the Petenwell Flowage adult super-population at 1,637 fish.
- The report says continued captures and recaptures should improve the precision of future growth and abundance estimates.
- The objective of annual monitoring is to assess abundance, growth potential and size structure and determine whether management changes are warranted.
- The report describes consistent natural reproduction, good size structure, trophy-size opportunity and good survival indicators.
Flathead catfish
5.5 fish/mile2025 electrofishing CPUE · p. 244 fish2025 total captured · p. 224.1 inches2025 average length · p. 27.2 inches2025 minimum length · p. 2
2025 Summer Flathead Catfish Survey Report: Petenwell FlowageMatched by exact wbic and name county · WBICs 1377100 · verified 2026-07-17Wisconsin DNR fisheries survey report; LakeList operator documented permission to leverage this report with source attribution.
23,173surface acres
44max depth feet
15public access points
44.1526, -89.9525latitude, longitude
Access
Public access points
Boat launchAccess44.12648, -90.01354Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchAccess - Devil's Elbow44.22452, -89.87777Managed by Wisconsin DNR
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Boat launchAccess near Brown Deer Dr44.09058, -89.95297Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchAccess off Apache Ln44.18870, -89.89508Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchAccess off Badger Court44.15342, -89.91807Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchAccess off Blackhawk Dr.44.10472, -89.97125Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchAccess off County Hwy Z44.24946, -89.86849Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchAccess off County Hwy Z44.21059, -89.88982Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchBarnum Bay44.17314, -89.90102Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchChicago Ave Boat Landing44.06826, -89.95654Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchPetenwell Lake - 20th Drive Access - Wisconsin River Power Company (WRPCO)44.12402, -90.01591Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchPetenwell Lake Fourteen Mile Creek Access44.21671, -89.89014Managed by OTHERTOWN OF ROMERamp surface: UnimprovedLanding type: CARRY-INADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchPetenwell Lake - Wilderness Park Access44.15313, -89.98332Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchPetenwell Park - 20th Drive Access44.11761, -89.96622Managed by COUNTYTOWN OF MONROERamp surface: Concrete PlankADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchPetenwell Park Access off Bighorn Dr. (Adams Co)44.12068, -89.95555Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Nearby
Trip-planning places
No nearby trip-planning places yet
Fishery
Notable species
PanfishWalleyeCatfishLargemouth BassMuskyNorthern PikeSmallmouth BassSturgeon
Depth FAQ
How deep is Petenwell Lake?
Petenwell Lake is 44 feet deep at its deepest point, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Is there a free depth map of Petenwell Lake?
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Petenwell Lake at a typical 5-foot interval, with an optional 3D underwater view, derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived) survey data.
Where does the Petenwell Lake depth map come from?
The interactive depth contours are derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived). Each contour set passes a visual QA review against the source document before it is published. The depths are derived from community sonar recordings (C-MAP Genesis Social Map, used with permission), with gaps between recordings interpolated; not for navigation.
Trust and freshness
Where this lake data comes from
Wisconsin DNR Lake Mapsname, coordinates, county, source identifiers
LakeList record updated 2026-07-14
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