Blue Earth County Lake Quality
Minnesota, 30 lakes, measured by Minnesota PCA
The county-level average smooths over real differences — a single agricultural watershed near the southwest corner can pull the average down even if the rest of the county runs clean. 5 of those lakes carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. The monitored lakes here are mostly shallow, productive basins where summer algae is common; each lake page shows its own readings beside the EPA condition class.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the readings sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest measured lake is Ballantyne Lake.
Where to stay near Blue Earth County
Top-rated places to stay near Blue Earth County
Prices for Oct 9–11, 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 Blue Earth County?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Blue Earth County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Blue Earth County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Ballantyne Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Minnesota regulations index.
Fishing in Blue Earth County
DNR Reports (20)
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder resources for lakes in Blue Earth County. browse all reports →
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — MadisonFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — LoonFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GeorgeFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — EagleFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — DuckFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — CrystalFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BallantyneFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — BallantyneFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — BallantynePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — CrystalFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — CrystalPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — DuckFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — DuckPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — EagleFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — EaglePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — GeorgePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — LoonFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — LoonPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — MadisonFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — MadisonPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
All Lakes in Blue Earth County
30 lakes · 5 ranked on readings, 25 without enough sampling5 lakes ranked on readings · 25 without enough sampling, hidden
| # | Lake | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Max Depth | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ballantyne LakeBlue Earth | 2.5 ft | 72.5 µg/L | 9.2 µg/L | No recent samples | 58 ft | ✓ Public |
| 2 | Madison LakeBlue Earth | 4 ft | 75 µg/L | 27.8 µg/L | No recent samples | 59 ft | ✓ Public |
| 3 | George LakeBlue Earth | 2.2 ft | 122.5 µg/L | 37.3 µg/L | No recent samples | 28 ft | ✓ Public |
| 4 | Crystal LakeBlue Earth | 1.5 ft | 172 µg/L | 59.9 µg/L | No recent samples | 8 ft | ✓ Public |
| 5 | Duck LakeBlue Earth | 2.8 ft | 105 µg/L | 31.5 µg/L | No recent samples | 25 ft | ✓ Public |
| Unnamed LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| Eagle LakeBlue Earth | 1 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 9 ft | ✓ Public | |
| Loon LakeBlue Earth | 2 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 7 ft | ✓ Public | |
| Porter LakeBlue Earth | 1.3 ft | 140 µg/L | 73 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | Carry-in | |
| Gilfillin LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Albert LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Wita LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| Mud LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Mud LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Born LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Alice LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Indian LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| Perch LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 6.6 ft | Not recorded | |
| Rice LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| Severson LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Knights LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Cottonwood LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 6.6 ft | Not recorded | |
| Lura LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 9 ft | ✓ Public | |
| Ida LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 7.4 ft | ✓ Public | |
| Mills LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 6.6 ft | ✓ Public | |
| Lily LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 4.9 ft | Not recorded | |
| Lieberg LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 3.3 ft | Not recorded | |
| Armstrong LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Strom LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Horseshoe LakeBlue Earth | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded |
NR = no nutrient or algae reading on record. The measurements are published as the authority reports them. Where the data comes from.
Lake Match
Which lake suits how you actually use one?
Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.
Other Counties in Minnesota
Browse every Minnesota lake, or the full directory of lakes across all United States (49 states), Canada (Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and 38 other country hubs..
Source: the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR. See data sources.