Bang Lake

The LakeGrade rubric puts Bang Lake at a C: clarity at 5.6 ft, 43 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 54 signal an intermediate trophic state. Clarity is the limiting factor — phosphorus is reasonable but suspended particles or algal cells keep water transparency below Minnesota norms.

At a TSI of 54, Bang Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. At only 9 ft deep, Bang Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. At 61 acres, Bang Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Within Carlton County's 33 graded lakes, Bang Lake ranks 23 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

Bang Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery is bass-led, with 8 documented species across the lake's records. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. The grade is supported by multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies, giving the letter a reasonably stable foundation.