Calhoun Lake vs Diamond Lake
Water quality, depth, fish species, and recreation comparison.
Calhoun Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Diamond Lake. Both are in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota.
Both Calhoun Lake and Diamond Lake sit in Minnesota. A same-state comparison strips out the state-level water-quality regime as a variable: any differences in the readings here are about the lakes themselves, not the agencies sampling them. These two sit close on their nutrient and algae readings, Calhoun Lake versus Diamond 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.
Calhoun Lake
Moderate clarity, visible to about 6.9 ft.
Diamond Lake
Murky, only visible to about 5.6 ft.
Side-by-Side Metrics
| Metric | Calhoun Lake | Diamond Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | 6.9 ft Better | 5.6 ft |
| Phosphorus | 24 µg/L Better | 65 µg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.8 µg/L Better | 17.4 µg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 13 ft | 27 ft Better |
| Surface Area | 647 acres | 1,610 acres |
| Public Access | Yes | Yes |
| Fish Species | 15 | 15 |
| Trophic State | eutrophic | eutrophic |
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 Calhoun Lake or Diamond Lake against a different lake.
Verdict
Calhoun Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Diamond Lake. Water clarity: 6.9 ft vs 5.6 ft. For fishing diversity, Calhoun Lake also leads with 15 species.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Calhoun Lake and Diamond Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Calhoun Lake and Diamond 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 Calhoun Lake and Diamond Lake
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 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 Calhoun Lake and Diamond Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Calhoun Lake and Diamond Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.