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Big Lake
Enhanced dataInteractive depth contours
Big 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 59% of the lake. Small gaps between recordings are smoothly connected; larger unrecorded areas follow the lake's depth model calibrated to the DNR-documented 61-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 Big Lake.
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Fishing forecast
Best windows for Big 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
Big Lake water temperature today
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
71°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 Big Lake (T42 R06 S04) - Deep Hole.
Sampled Jun 2026Volunteer monitoring since 1986
Clear, low-algae water — summer clarity of 14 ft puts it among the clearest quarter of monitored Wisconsin lakes.
Based on July–August 2025 averages across 4 volunteer readings.41Mesotrophic5-yr summer TSI
Moderately clear with moderate nutrients — a typical profile for good swimming lakes.
Water claritySecchi disk depth
14 ftJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
ClearStable since 2018
Clearer than 83% of 596 monitored Wisconsin lakes with current readings.
AlgaeChlorophyll-a
1.5 µg/LJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
Very lowImproving — down ~15% vs earlier years
NutrientsTotal phosphorus — fuels plant & algae growth
16 µg/LLatest single sample · 2026-05-07
LowLow phosphorus means light plant/algae growth pressure.
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 (2) | 1.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2024 | 11.7 ft (3) | 4.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2023 | 10.0 ft (1) | 3.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2022 | 14.0 ft (2) | 3.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2021 | 12.5 ft (2) | 4.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2020 | 12.7 ft (3) | 3.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2019 | 11.5 ft (1) | 3.0 µg/L (1) | — |
| 2018 | 10.6 ft (4) | 3.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2017 | 11.6 ft (5) | 4.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2016 | 9.2 ft (6) | 7.0 µg/L (2) | — |
Latest individual samples: Secchi 15 ft (2026-06-27), chlorophyll-a 2 µg/L (2025-08-26), and total phosphorus 16 µg/L (2026-05-07).
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.
Big Lake (T42 R06 S04) - Deep HoleStation 643225 · 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 sheetFishing 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
Big Lake depth maps
1 converted map sheet. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Big 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 2334700 · 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.
827surface acres
61max depth feet
2public access points
46.1559, -89.7764latitude, longitude
Access
Public access points
Boat launchBig Lake Campground Access46.16224, -89.78619Managed by STATE(DNR)TOWN OF PRESQUE ISLERamp surface: Concrete PlankADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchBig Lake - Hwy K Access46.14467, -89.77421Managed by STATE(DNR)TOWN OF BOULDER JUNCTIONRamp surface: Concrete PanelsADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Nearby
Trip-planning places
No nearby trip-planning places yet
Fishery
Notable species
MuskyPanfishSmallmouth BassWalleyeLargemouth BassNorthern Pike
Wisconsin DNR stocking
Fish stocking history
The latest published year is 2025, when 200 fish were recorded across 1 entry.
2025
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
20012.2 in average
2023
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
20512.3 in average
2021
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
6213.9 in average
2019
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
20411.2 in average
2017
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
12710.9 in average
Depth FAQ
How deep is Big Lake?
Big Lake is 61 feet deep at its deepest point, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Is there a free depth map of Big Lake?
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Big 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 Big 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 Pagesname, coordinates, county, source identifiers
LakeList record updated 2026-07-12
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