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Dixon Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Round Lake. Both are in Itasca County, Minnesota.

Reviewed by LakeQuality Editorial Team · Updated

Both Dixon Lake and Round 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, Dixon Lake versus Round 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.

Dixon Lake

Itasca County, Minnesota

Murky, only visible to about 6 ft.

Round Lake

Itasca County, Minnesota

Murky, only visible to about 4.1 ft.

Side-by-Side Metrics

MetricDixon LakeRound Lake
Water Clarity6 ft Better4.1 ft
Phosphorus34 µg/L Better67 µg/L
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)19.6 µg/L Better31.8 µg/L
Maximum Depth29 ft Better24 ft
Surface Area622 acres2,860 acres
Public AccessYesYes
Fish Species1517 Better
Trophic Stateeutrophiceutrophic

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.

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Verdict

Dixon Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Round Lake. Water clarity: 6 ft vs 4.1 ft. For more fish-species variety, Round Lake edges ahead with 17 documented species.

Stays via Stay22

Where to stay near Dixon Lake and Round Lake

Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Dixon Lake and Round 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 Dixon Lake and Round Lake

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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.