Lake Winnibigoshish vs Sugar Lake
Water quality, depth, fish species, and recreation comparison.
Sugar Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Lake Winnibigoshish. Both are in Minnesota.
Both Lake Winnibigoshish and Sugar 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 close: Lake Winnibigoshish and Sugar Lake sit within a narrow band of each other on phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and clarity. The per-parameter table below shows where the small differences actually live.
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.
Lake Winnibigoshish
Good clarity, visible to about 12.1 ft.
Sugar Lake
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.4 ft.
Side-by-Side Metrics
| Metric | Lake Winnibigoshish | Sugar Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | 12.1 ft Better | 8.4 ft |
| Phosphorus | 29 µg/L | 18 µg/L Better |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.2 µg/L | 4.9 µg/L Better |
| Maximum Depth | 69.8 ft Better | 22 ft |
| Surface Area | 56,471 acres | 1,509 acres |
| Public Access | Yes | Yes |
| Fish Species | 20 Better | 13 |
| Trophic State | mesotrophic | mesotrophic |
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 Lake Winnibigoshish or Sugar Lake against a different lake.
Verdict
Lake Winnibigoshish and Sugar Lake read the same on nutrients and algae overall. The tiebreakers come down to clarity (Lake Winnibigoshish: 12.1 ft, Sugar Lake: 8.4 ft) and what you want from the lake. Lake Winnibigoshish supports more documented fish species.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Lake Winnibigoshish and Sugar Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Lake Winnibigoshish and Sugar 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 Lake Winnibigoshish and Sugar 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 Lake Winnibigoshish and Sugar Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Lake Winnibigoshish and Sugar Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.