Potter Lake is a 155-acre lake in the Town of East Troy. The lake is formed from a shallow depression at the base of a moraine. The lake has a total volume of 1,304 acre-feet, with an average depth of about 8 feet. Approximately 19 percent of the lake is less than 3 feet deep. The lake level is only partially controlled by a culvert (dam), maintained by the District, located near the Public Launch on County Highway L. The navigable lake area is 155 acres, and the shoreline is approximately 2.2 miles. The maximum depth of Potter Lake is 26 feet.
Hydrographic and Morphometric Data (source: WDNR)
- Size of Lake: 155 acres
- Lake Volume: 1,304.2-acre feet
- Length of Shoreline: 2.2 miles
- Maximum Depth: 26 feet
- Mean Depth: 8 feet
- Percent of area less than 3 feet deep: 19%
- Percent of area greater than 20 feet deep: 5.5%
Nature
Lake and Pond Solutions, LLC prepared an Aquatic Plant Management Plan Update in March 2022. According to their findings:
The plant community sampled in July 2021 on Potter Lake consisted of seventeen species of plants. The five most common native species ranked by relative frequency of occurrence included Common Waterweed (Elodea canadensis), Muskgrasses (Chara spp.), White water lily (Nymphaea odorata), Slender naiad (Najasflexilis), and Flat-stem pondweed (Potamogetonzosteriformis). Three invasive species were sampled: Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), and Purple Loosestrife (Lythrumsalicaria). Although a decent variety of species was found, there were only five with relative frequencies greater than 10%. The most common aquatic plant (common waterweed) was found at over 90% of sites that had vegetation.
Fish species found in Potter Lake include white sucker, northern pike, black bullhead, yellow, black and brown bullhead, largemouth bass, carp, black crappie, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and yellow perch. Zebra Mussels have become more prevalent on Potter Lake in the last several years. In addition to fish, the lake provides habitat and cover for waterfowl and small animals. Ducks, geese, muskrats, and blue herons all find homes on Potter Lake.
Activities
Potter Lake offers something for everyone. A survey of homeowners was done in 2024 to get information on what activities people enjoy on the lake. In the summer, you will see fishing, boating and wave runners, swimming, kayaking and paddle boards, waterskiing, and watching wildlife and enjoying the views. Boating and wave runners/personal watercraft were the most popular summer activities. In the winter, people enjoy ice skating, walking or snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and watching wildlife and enjoying the views. Scenic viewing was the most popular winter activity and the second-most popular summer activity.
Riparian Ownership
Our lake is a beautiful resource and attraction. However, the work of the Potters Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District and the DNR is not enough. As riparian owners, we each have a special responsibility to care for Potter Lake. In some cases, owners may need to spend a little money on improving an eroding shoreline, fixing a boat motor that leaks oil, etc. In most cases, caring for the lake requires a little time and effort: picking up harvested weeds, using common sense when applying lawn fertilizer, and disposing of oils and solvents properly. This information on Applying Environmentally Friendly Lawn Fertilizers and Proactive Runoff Mitigation Activities is helpful. If you are building, remodeling, landscaping, or even building a deck, you should contact Walworth County for information about permits, special restrictions, and erosion control plans affecting lake properties. A wealth of information can be found on the Land Use and Resource Management page of Walworth County’s website.