Bass Lake
Bass Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 6.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 26.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 7.6 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 6.5 ft
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- No
Next lake in Washington County
Bass Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Washington County, Minnesota. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 74 other monitored lakes in Washington County, Bass Lake ranks #28 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Bass Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Murky, only visible to about 6.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 26.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 7.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 26.5 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 7.6 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Bass Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bass Lake in Washington County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Bass Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Fishing Bass Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Bass Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN82-0077-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.18 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #28 of 75 lakes in Washington County
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
Frequently asked questions about Bass Lake
What is the water quality grade for Bass Lake?
- Bass Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 6.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 26.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 7.6 µg/L.
Is Bass Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Bass Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 7.6 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Explore Bass Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Washington County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the St. Croix Watershed, ranked by water quality
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Minnesota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Bass Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
56 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA56 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database