Steele County Lake Quality
North Dakota, 3 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Only 3 lakes in Steele 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. Steele County averages to a C. The distribution behind that average matters more than the letter: a few stressed lakes versus many decent ones can produce the same average as the inverse.
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 Tobiason (C) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Steele County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lake Tobiason, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official North Dakota fishing regulations.
Fishing in Steele County
All Lakes in Steele County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Tobiason | C | 8.1 ft | 14.7 ft | - |
| 2 | South Golden Lake | C | 6.2 ft | 17 ft | - |
| 3 | North Golden Lake | C | 3.8 ft | 12.6 ft | - |
Other Counties in North Dakota
See how Steele 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 Steele County
Top-rated places to stay near Steele County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.