Chinook Salmon
Invasive SpeciesFound in 6 lakes
Chinook Salmon is documented in 6 lakes across our dataset — 6 in Minnesota. Each state's natural-resources agency maintains an official "infested waters" roster that triggers boat-launch decontamination protocols. 6 lakes — narrow enough that aggressive containment is still on the table. Most upper-Midwest invasives that established here did so quietly over a decade before anyone noticed, so a low number today is not a guarantee for tomorrow.
The presence of Chinook Salmon does not directly change a lake's LakeGrade rubric score — the grade measures the water itself, not the species inhabiting it. But invasive presence is a meaningful adjacent signal worth reading alongside the grade.
Lakes with Chinook Salmon
| Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnie-Belle Lake | Meeker | MN | A | 49 ft |
| Sunfish Lake | Dakota | MN | B | - |
| Horseshoe Lake | Dakota | MN | B | - |
| Hornbean Lake | Dakota | MN | C | - |
| Schmitt Lake | Dakota | MN | C | - |
| Dickman Lake | Dakota | MN | F | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have chinook salmon?
Chinook Salmon has been documented in 6 graded lakes: 6 in Minnesota.
Does chinook salmon affect water quality?
Invasive species can significantly affect lake ecosystems. They may alter nutrient cycling, displace native species, and change water clarity. Lakes with chinook salmon should be monitored for changes in water quality over time.
Invasives Found With Chinook Salmon
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.