Skip to main content
LakeQuality

George Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Centerville Lake. Both are in Anoka County, Minnesota.

Reviewed by LakeQuality Editorial Team · Updated

Both Centerville Lake and George 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. The readings are meaningfully apart: George Lake carries clearly lower phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings than Centerville Lake. A spread that wide reflects real underlying differences, in watershed inputs, depth profiles, or monitoring rigor.

For a recreational visitor, the wider gap in the readings is decisive: George Lake has the lower nutrient and algae numbers. For a researcher, the gap is the interesting part: what is different about the two watersheds, and which of those differences is mutable?

Centerville Lake

Anoka County, Minnesota

Murky, only visible to about 3.9 ft.

George Lake

Anoka County, Minnesota

Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.3 ft.

Side-by-Side Metrics

MetricCenterville LakeGeorge Lake
Water Clarity3.9 ft7.3 ft Better
Phosphorus78 µg/L22 µg/L Better
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)46.3 µg/L8.3 µg/L Better
Maximum Depth19 ft32 ft Better
Surface Area474 acres489 acres
Public AccessYesYes
Fish Species14 Better12
Trophic Stateeutrophicmesotrophic

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 Centerville Lake or George Lake against a different lake.

Verdict

George Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Centerville Lake. Water clarity: 7.3 ft vs 3.9 ft. For more fish-species variety, Centerville Lake edges ahead with 14 documented species.

Stays via Stay22

Where to stay near Centerville Lake and George Lake

Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Centerville Lake and George 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 Centerville Lake and George 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 Centerville Lake and George Lake?

Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Centerville Lake and George Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.