16-0023-00 Lake
Cook County, MinnesotaLimited DataOligotrophic
16-0023-00 Lake sits at the top of the Minnesota PCA grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Minnesota. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.
A TSI value of 36 puts 16-0023-00 Lake in the oligotrophic range, where biological productivity stays low and the water column remains clear. A maximum depth of 35 ft puts 16-0023-00 Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 78 acres, 16-0023-00 Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. 16-0023-00 Lake ranks 24 of 128 in Cook County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
No invasive species are currently listed at 16-0023-00 Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. 3 fish species are documented at 16-0023-00 Lake, a mixed warm-water community typical for Minnesota lakes of this size. A documented public access point at 16-0023-00 Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2021-07-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 17 ft down. Trophic State Index: 36.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 17 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 36 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 35 ft |
| Average Depth | 16 ft |
| Surface Area | 77.5 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.1 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 45% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for 16-0023-00 Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from 16-0023-00 Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ 16-0023-00 Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.178 m/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (4 observations).
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2011-05-13 (2011) | 2011-05-13 (2011) |
| Ice-In | 2023-11-02 (2023) | 2023-11-02 (2023) |
Most recent ice-out: 2011-05-13
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #24 of 128 lakes in Cook County
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near 16-0023-00 Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Minnesota
Oligotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-10-28 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | 19.89 | — |
| White Sucker | 6.20 | 1.02 lb |
| SPT | 4.45 | 0.47 lb |
| BST | 4.28 | — |
| IOD | 3.65 | — |
| Brook Trout | 2.88 | 2.09 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
White Sucker
SPT
From the 2024-10-28 survey
Esther Lake is a small, 78-acre lake with a maximum depth of 35 ft and is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Hovland. There is a small boat access and a couple of camp sites located on the northeast side of the lake. Esther Lake is a designated stream trout lake and has been actively stocked with rainbow…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for 16-0023-00 Lake. 4 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — EstherFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Esther (1836)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — EstherFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — EstherPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2021-07-17
Monitoring stations: 1