Bottineau County Lake Quality
North Dakota, 2 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 2 lakes in Bottineau County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. On average, Bottineau County lakes grade D, with phosphorus loading and reduced clarity showing up across most of the dataset.
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. Lake Metigoshe (C) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Bottineau County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lake Metigoshe, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official North Dakota fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Bottineau County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Metigoshe | C | 5.4 ft | 23.3 ft | - |
Other Counties in North Dakota
See how Bottineau County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 15 states.
Where to stay near Bottineau County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.