Ames Lake vs Shallow Lake
Water quality, depth, fish species, and recreation comparison.
Shallow Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Ames Lake. Both are in Itasca County, Minnesota.
Ames Lake and Shallow Lake are both in Minnesota — a same-state head-to-head where the comparison comes down to lake-specific differences in depth, watershed, and monitoring history rather than the broader state-level water-quality regime. These two sit close on their nutrient and algae readings, Ames Lake versus Shallow Lake. The deciding factors for a recreational visitor are likely physical (depth, access, fish species) rather than water-quality differences.
With readings this close, the choice between the two lakes turns on non-water-quality factors: depth, fish species, public access, distance from home. The per-lake pages below cover all of those.
Ames Lake
Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft.
Shallow Lake
Crystal clear, you can see 16.4 ft down.
Side-by-Side Metrics
| Metric | Ames Lake | Shallow Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | 10 ft | 16.4 ft Better |
| Phosphorus | 15 µg/L | 9 µg/L Better |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.3 µg/L Better | 3.2 µg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 51 ft | 85 ft Better |
| Surface Area | 564 acres | 539 acres |
| Public Access | Yes | Yes |
| Fish Species | 13 Better | 12 |
| Trophic State | mesotrophic | oligotrophic |
A green ✓ marks the better value for that metric (lower phosphorus / chlorophyll = cleaner; higher Secchi / depth / species count = better). Surface area and trophic state carry no tick — a bigger lake is not a better lake.
Swap a lake
Compare Ames Lake or Shallow Lake against a different lake.
Verdict
Ames Lake and Shallow Lake read the same on nutrients and algae overall. The tiebreakers come down to clarity (Ames Lake: 10 ft, Shallow Lake: 16.4 ft) and what you want from the lake. Ames Lake supports more documented fish species.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Ames Lake and Shallow Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Ames Lake and Shallow Lake. Both lakes are pinned on the map, so you can see which stays sit nearer the one you pick. Switch to Satellite to see how close each is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Ames Lake and Shallow 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 Ames Lake and Shallow Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Ames Lake and Shallow Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.