Lake of the Woods County Lake Quality
Minnesota, 11 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Lake of the Woods County has 11 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-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Lake of the Woods (A); the most-stressed is Lake of the Woods (D).
Quick Answers for Lake of the Woods County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lake of the Woods, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Minnesota regulations index.
DNR Reports (2)
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder resources for lakes in Lake of the Woods County. browse all reports →
- —Public Water Access Sites — Lake of the Woods (Main)Public Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Lake of the Woods (Fourmile Bay)Public Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
All Lakes in Lake of the Woods County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake of the Woods | A | 15.6 ft | - | 26 µg/L |
| 2 | Low: Mpca Co-Located Site Muskeg Bay Lake | A | 17.7 ft | - | 28 µg/L |
| 3 | Low: Mpca Co-Located Site Big Traverse Bay Lake | A | 16.4 ft | - | 23 µg/L |
| 4 | Low: Mpca Co-Located Site Lake | A | 18 ft | - | 27 µg/L |
| 5 | Lake of the Woods | B | 16.9 ft | - | 31 µg/L |
| 6 | Lake of the Woods | B | 15.9 ft | - | 35 µg/L |
| 7 | Low: Mpca Co-Located Site Four Mile Bay Lake | B | 12.1 ft | - | 22 µg/L |
| 8 | Big Traverse Bay Lake | B | 13.1 ft | - | 33.5 µg/L |
| 9 | Lake of the Woods | C | 5.5 ft | - | 26 µg/L |
| 10 | Lake of the Woods | C | 5.2 ft | - | 20.5 µg/L |
| 11 | Lake of the Woods | D | 3.3 ft | - | 31 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.