Bachelor Lake
Aitkin County, MinnesotaLimited DataOligotrophic
On the LakeGrade scale Bachelor Lake grades a B, with clarity at 14.5 ft and phosphorus readings still being added placing it above the Minnesota median.
Trophically, Bachelor Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. Bachelor Lake reaches 47 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Bachelor Lake is small — 54 acres alongside 2.1 miles of shoreline — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Among the 53 graded lakes in Aitkin County, Bachelor Lake ranks 11 — in the top quartile locally.
No invasive species are currently listed at Bachelor Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery is bass-led, with 11 documented species across the lake's records. No formal public access is documented at Bachelor Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. 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 2024-08-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 14.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 47 ft |
| Average Depth | 12 ft |
| Surface Area | 53.56 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.1 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 56% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Bachelor Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Bachelor Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Bachelor 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 | -0.251 m/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #11 of 53 lakes in Aitkin County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bachelor Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Aitkin County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Bachelor Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Oligotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
3 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2001-07-18 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 9.97 | 0.91 lb |
| Bluegill | 9.15 | 0.13 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 6.33 | 0.11 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 4.64 | 0.21 lb |
| Northern Pike | 3.88 | 2.17 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 3.50 | 0.53 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.
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Pumpkinseed
From the 2001-07-18 survey
Bachelor Lake is a moderately fertile 53 acre lake located in Aitkin County just southwest of the city of Aitkin. The shoreline surrounding the lake has minimal development with most of the shoreline made up of marshland, undeveloped forest or woodland, and grassland. The lake is characterized by a larger, deep basin…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Bachelor Lake. 2 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BachelorFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Bachelor (0127)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Bachelor Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN01-0170-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.74 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-08-13
Monitoring stations: 2