Goodhue County Lake Quality
Minnesota, 2 lakes, average grade F (Algae-prone)
Goodhue County has 2 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county average is F — the most-stressed bracket in our rubric. Most monitored lakes here show persistent nutrient loading and algal pressure.
Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Goose Lake (F) is the cleanest in the county.
Where to stay near Goodhue County
Top-rated places to stay near Goodhue County
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 Goodhue County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Goodhue County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Goodhue County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Goose Lake — or browse the full Minnesota regulations index.
DNR Reports (6)
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder resources for lakes in Goodhue County. browse all reports →
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GooseFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — ClearFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — NelsonPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — NorthPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Sharp MuskratPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — SturgeonPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
All Lakes in Goodhue County
2 lakes · 1 graded, 1 not rated1 graded lake · 1 not rated, hidden
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Max Depth | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FGoose LakeGoodhue | F | 0.4 ft | 179 µg/L | 60.6 µg/L | No recent samples | 5.7 ft | ✓ Public |
| NRNelson LakeGoodhue | NR | 3.3 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
NR = not rated: the monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar for a grade. That is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 (insufficient information), not a failing grade. How grading works.
Lake Match
Which lake suits how you actually use one?
Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of graded lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.
Other Counties in Minnesota
See how Goodhue County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 39 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.