Is Bay Lake Safe for Swimming?
Bay Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.. Water clarity: 18.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 11 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.6 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 18.5 ft |
| Phosphorus | 11 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.6 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 74 ft |
| Location | Crow Wing County, Minnesota |
How does Bay Lake compare?
On nutrient and algae readings, Bay Lake matches or beats the Minnesota state average. It ranks #27 of 85 lakes in Crow Wing County on nutrient and algae readings.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 18.5 feet. That counts as exceptional clarity — sunlight penetrates deep, supporting submerged plants and limiting algae. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 1.6 µg/L — low and well within safe swimming guidelines.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Bay Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bay Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Live availability and prices for your nights. Switch the map to Satellite to see how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Bay Lake
Prices for Nov 6–8, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Bay Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Bay Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Watch Bay Lake water quality
Get an email when the clarity or algae readings change. Unsubscribe anytime.