Barnesville Lake
Clay County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric, Barnesville Lake pulls an A: clarity readings still being added and 17 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Minnesota.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Barnesville Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. A maximum depth of 17 ft puts Barnesville Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 11 acres, Barnesville Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Among the 2 graded lakes in Clay County, Barnesville Lake sits at rank 1, above the county median.
No invasive species are currently listed at Barnesville Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery is panfish-dominated — bluegill, crappie, and sunfish among the 4 species documented for the lake. No formal public access is documented at Barnesville 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 2020-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 16.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 16.5 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 17 ft |
| Surface Area | 11.05 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 0.7 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 90% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Barnesville Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Barnesville Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Barnesville Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Clay County
Nearby Lakes in Clay County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Barnesville Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-06-20 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| White Sucker | 1.20 | 0.18 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 1.10 | 0.04 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 0.80 | 0.05 lb |
| Fathead Minnow | 0.33 | — |
| FND | 0.33 | — |
| Black Bullhead | 0.20 | 0.08 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
Green Sunfish
Yellow Perch
FND
From the 2023-06-20 survey
A winterkill assessment was conducted on Barnesville Lake in June of 2023. This assessment proved a severe winterkill had taken place as only a handful of fish were captured including Green Sunfish, Yellow Perch, White Sucker and Black Bullhead. As a result, Walleye fry were stocked in late spring and nearly 200 adult…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Barnesville Lake. 2 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BarnesvilleFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — BarnesvilleFish Stocking History · 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
Most recent sample: 2020-09-18
Monitoring stations: 1