Beth Lake
Cook County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
Beth Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. A maximum depth of 22 ft puts Beth Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 170 acres, Beth Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 4.4 miles of shoreline. Among the 128 graded lakes in Cook County, Beth Lake sits at rank 58, above the county median.
Beth Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2022, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 4, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. 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.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2022-07-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 11.1 ft. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.1 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 22 ft |
| Surface Area | 170.05 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.4 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 59% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Beth Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Beth Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Beth Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #58 of 128 lakes in Cook County
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Beth Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2012-08-07 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | 13.67 | 0.48 lb |
| White Sucker | 4.04 | 4.01 lb |
| Northern Pike | 0.83 | 0.82 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 0.25 | — |
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.
Smallmouth Bass
White Sucker
Northern Pike
Yellow Perch
From the 2012-08-07 survey
Beth Lake is 170 acres with a maximum depth of 22 feet and is located 21 miles north of Schroeder completely within the BWCAW. The lake is accessed by one of three portage routes. Alton Lake, to the east, is a 144 rod portage, or about half of a mile. Ella Lake, to the north, is a 72 rod portage, about 0.2 miles.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Beth Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BethFisheries Lake Survey · 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: 2022-07-26
Monitoring stations: 2