Hatch Lake
Waupaca County, Wisconsin · WBIC 282800
The DNR lists this lake's watershed (South Branch Little Wolf River) as suspect or infected with VHS, a fish virus. The listing covers the watershed, not a test of this lake. About VHS
This lake has fishing rules that differ from the standard ones for its area. Check the official rules before you fish. Official regulations
Size
106 acres
Max depth
12 ft
DNR lake type
Simple, Warm, dark water color
Water clarity
9 ft
Moderate, measured Sep 2026
A warm-water lake type: the DNR groups it with lakes that warm up through summer. This describes the lake type in general, not this lake in particular.
Outline
Numbered dots are boat landings; tap one for directions. The list below has the same numbers. Drawn from the DNR's 24K hydrography (surveyed 1992), so the shape is approximate and a landing can sit a little off the shore. Open the DNR lake map.
Water clarity
9 ft Secchi depthModerate
Last measured Sep 7, 2026. 75 readings on record, 1991 to 2026.
Typical summer clarity (June to September): 8.2 ft, moderate, from 32 readings (2020 to 2026).
Secchi depth is how far down a white disk stays visible. A bigger number means clearer water. Clear means a Secchi depth of 10 feet or more, moderate 5 to 10 feet, low under 5 feet.
Wisconsin DNR water monitoring (volunteer and staff), via the Water Quality Portal; station HATCH LAKE - DEEP HOLE. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
Water temperature
76.5°F surface, measured Sep 7, 2026
Measured near the surface (0.91 m down). A single reading, not a daily value.
A typical year Modeled estimate
- Ice goes outabout Apr 9 (Apr 1 to Apr 15)
- Surface reaches 48°Fabout Apr 19 (Apr 13 to Apr 26)
- Surface reaches 64°Fabout May 19 (May 9 to May 24)
- June surface72°F, usually 71 to 74°F
- July surface78°F, usually 76 to 79°F
- August surface74°F, usually 72 to 76°F
Mixes regularly through the summer instead of forming a warm top layer.
A computer model of this lake's typical weather and water, built from 15 years, 2005 to 2019. Ranges show the middle half of years. The model was not calibrated against measured temperatures for this lake. It is an estimate, not a measurement.
Measured: Wisconsin DNR via the Water Quality Portal (checked Oct 23, 2026). Modeled: U.S. Geological Survey lake temperature data release (doi:10.5066/P9CA6XP8).
Today at the lake
Forecast: National Weather Service (no endorsement implied). Sunrise, sunset and moon phase are calculated. The moon phase can be a day off.
Stocking history
- Black Crappielast stocked 2025 (adult); stocked in 1 year since 2010
- Largemouth Basslast stocked 2017 (small fingerling); stocked in 1 year since 2010
- Walleyelast stocked 2013 (large fingerling); stocked in 1 year since 2010
Stocking shows what was added to the lake, not what is in it now.
Wisconsin DNR annual fish stocking summary. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
Boat landings
- 1Hatch Lake AccessBoat ramp · Gravel surface · Township
Directions
Wisconsin DNR public boat access sites. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
More lakes in Waupaca County
- Iola Lake1.2 miles away
- Kating Lake1.8 miles away
- Gregerson Lake2.0 miles away
- Lutz Lake2.2 miles away
- Siemer Lake2.4 miles away
- Goodhal Lake2.7 miles away
Where this comes from
- Size, depth and lake typeWisconsin DNR lake classifications, checked Oct 23, 2026
- OutlineWisconsin DNR 24K hydrography, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Stocking historyWisconsin DNR annual fish stocking summary, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Regulations linkWisconsin DNR fishing regulations (linked, not restated), checked Oct 23, 2026
- Boat landingsWisconsin DNR public boat access sites, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Water clarityWisconsin DNR water monitoring, via the Water Quality Portal, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Measured temperatureWisconsin DNR water monitoring, via the Water Quality Portal, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Typical-year temperatureU.S. Geological Survey lake temperature model (modeled estimate), checked Oct 23, 2026
- VHS statusWisconsin DNR VHS status by watershed, checked Oct 24, 2026
- Depth map linkWisconsin DNR lake maps list, checked Oct 24, 2026
See data sources for what each source covers, and about for how the numbers are matched to lakes.
Something wrong on this page? Report a problem.