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Ballard Lake
Enhanced dataInteractive depth contours
Ballard LakeVilas 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 98% of the lake. Small gaps between recordings are smoothly connected; larger unrecorded areas follow the lake's depth model calibrated to the DNR-documented 25-ft maximum depth. More accurate than a pure model, but still an estimate. Not for navigation.LakeList assistant
Plan your lake day
Fishing spots, food, lodging, marinas, and rentals around Ballard Lake.
Start here
Fishing forecast
Best windows for Ballard Lake
Weather-based planning built from the National Weather Service hourly forecast near this lake.
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Checking wind, precipitation, and near-term weather windows.
Water temperature
Ballard Lake water temperature today
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
74°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.
Wisconsin DNR water assessment
Public-health advice and impairment listed
The DNR assessment indicates specific public-health advice for this waterbody. Review current official guidance before your trip or eating your catch.
303(d) / impairment recordSpecific public-health advice
Mercury Contaminated Fish TissuePollutants: Mercury
- Status
- 303d Listed
- Public health
- Specific Advice
- Recreation
- Full Body Contact
- Aquatic life
- Not specified
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Review DNR water quality Check consumption advice Source updated 2026-03-25 · LakeList verified 2026-07-12
DNR water check
Water quality quick take
From Wisconsin DNR / Citizen Lake Monitoring readings at Ballard Lake - Musky Alley Deep Hole.
Sampled Oct 2025Volunteer monitoring since 1993
Clear, low-algae water — summer clarity of 14 ft puts it among the clearest tenth of monitored Wisconsin lakes.
Based on July–August 2025 averages across 5 volunteer readings.42Mesotrophic5-yr summer TSI
Moderately clear with moderate nutrients — a typical profile for good swimming lakes.
Water claritySecchi disk depth
14 ftJul–Aug 2025 avg (3 readings)
ClearStable since 2018
Clearer than 95% of 596 monitored Wisconsin lakes with current readings.
AlgaeChlorophyll-a
3.5 µg/LJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
LowStable since 2018
NutrientsTotal phosphorus — fuels plant & algae growth
21 µg/LLatest single sample · 2025-04-27
ModerateModerate phosphorus can support noticeable plant/algae growth.
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 | 14.0 ft (3) | 3.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2024 | 14.8 ft (2) | 2.5 µg/L (2) | 14.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2023 | 15.0 ft (1) | 3.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2022 | 13.1 ft (4) | 4.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2021 | 14.2 ft (4) | 3.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2020 | 14.3 ft (5) | 3.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2019 | 14.4 ft (5) | 3.5 µg/L (2) | 15.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2018 | 13.2 ft (3) | 3.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2017 | 15.9 ft (2) | — | — |
Latest individual samples: Secchi 20.5 ft (2025-10-03), chlorophyll-a 3 µg/L (2025-08-17), and total phosphorus 21 µg/L (2025-04-27).
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.
Ballard Lake - Musky Alley Deep HoleStation 10049055 · TSI based on chlorophyll
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 maps1 converted map sheetView 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
Ballard Lake depth maps
1 converted map sheet. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Ballard 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 2340700 · 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.
503surface acres
25max depth feet
2public access points
46.0604, -89.5006latitude, longitude
Access
Public access points
Boat launchBallard Lake Ramp46.06222, -89.48540Managed by STATE(DNR)TOWN OF PLUM LAKERamp surface: Concrete PlankADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchLanding46.06464, -89.48935Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Nearby
Trip-planning places
CampgroundBallard Canoe 10.6 miles away
CampgroundBallard Canoe 20.6 miles away
CampgroundPartridge Canoe 11.7 miles away
CampgroundWest Star Lke Campground2.3 miles away
CampgroundStar Canoe 22.8 miles away
CampgroundEast Star Lake Campground2.8 miles away
CampgroundRazorback Lake Campground3.0 miles away
CampgroundStar Canoe 13.1 miles away
CampgroundPlum Canoe 13.1 miles away
CampgroundNixon Canoe 13.7 miles away
CampgroundStarrett Lake Campground4.3 miles away
Fishery
Notable species
Species data pending
Wisconsin DNR stocking
Fish stocking history
The latest published year is 2025, when 100 fish were recorded across 1 entry.
2025
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
10012.2 in average
2023
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
12612.3 in average
2022
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
13913.8 in average
2018
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
12611.6 in average
2017
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
8110.8 in average
2016
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
12611.2 in average
2015
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
6311.7 in average
2014
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
12611.3 in average
2013
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
2559.7 in average
2013
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Small Fingerling
17,2052.0 in average
2011
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Small Fingerling
17,6021.8 in average
Depth FAQ
How deep is Ballard Lake?
Ballard Lake is 25 feet deep at its deepest point, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Is there a free depth map of Ballard Lake?
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Ballard 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 Ballard 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 2026-07-20
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