Lower Mission Lake vs Upper Mission Lake
Water quality, depth, fish species, and recreation comparison.
Upper Mission Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Lower Mission Lake. Both are in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
Both Lower Mission Lake and Upper Mission 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: Upper Mission Lake carries clearly lower phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings than Lower Mission 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: Upper Mission 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?
Lower Mission Lake
Moderate clarity, visible to about 6.9 ft.
Upper Mission Lake
Good clarity, visible to about 11 ft.
Side-by-Side Metrics
| Metric | Lower Mission Lake | Upper Mission Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | 6.9 ft | 11 ft Better |
| Phosphorus | 36 µg/L | 15.5 µg/L Better |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 14 µg/L | 5.1 µg/L Better |
| Maximum Depth | 27 ft | 36 ft Better |
| Surface Area | 732 acres | 882 acres |
| Public Access | Yes | Yes |
| Fish Species | 14 Better | 13 |
| Trophic State | eutrophic | 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 Lower Mission Lake or Upper Mission Lake against a different lake.
Verdict
Upper Mission Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Lower Mission Lake. Water clarity: 11 ft vs 6.9 ft. For more fish-species variety, Lower Mission Lake edges ahead with 14 documented species.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Lower Mission Lake and Upper Mission Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Lower Mission Lake and Upper Mission 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 Lower Mission Lake and Upper Mission 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 Lower Mission Lake and Upper Mission Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Lower Mission Lake and Upper Mission Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.