Bass Lake

Bass Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.

A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. The lake's 58 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Minnesota — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. At 57 acres, Bass Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Bass Lake sits at rank 37 of 53 in Aitkin County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

Bass Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Bass Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.