Ban Lake
St. Louis County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
On the scoring rubric Ban Lake grades a D: clarity at 6.0 ft and phosphorus readings still being added keep it in the lower bracket for St. Louis County.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. Ban Lake is a shallow lake at 10 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. At 389 acres, Ban Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 7.3 miles of shoreline. Ban Lake ranks 176 of 187 in St. Louis County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Ban Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 9 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-07-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 6 ft. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 10 ft |
| Surface Area | 389.29 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 7.3 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Ban Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Ban Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Ban Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #176 of 187 lakes in St. Louis County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Ban Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Ban Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
7 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-08-18 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 7.27 | 0.1 lb |
| Bluegill | 5.11 | 0.24 lb |
| Black Crappie | 3.49 | 0.31 lb |
| White Sucker | 2.32 | 1.96 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 1.94 | 1 lb |
| Northern Pike | 1.86 | 2.99 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.
Yellow Perch
Bluegill
Black Crappie
White Sucker
From the 2025-08-18 survey
Ban Lake is located approximately seven miles east of Orr, Minnesota. This 389-acre lake has a maximum depth of 10 feet and dark tannin-stained water. A fisheries survey was completed on Ban Lake in 2025 as part of a regular rotation of surveys in the International Falls Fisheries Management Area. Ban Lake follows…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Ban Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BanFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — BanFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — BanPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Ban Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN69-0742-00 · Official waterbody report
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: 2023-07-30
Monitoring stations: 1