Blind Lake

Blind Lake pulls a D on the LakeGrade rubric — phosphorus loading and limited clarity hold it below the Minnesota average.

At a TSI of 53, Blind Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. A maximum depth of 17 ft puts Blind Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 304 acres, Blind Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 4.9 miles of shoreline. Within Aitkin County's 53 graded lakes, Blind Lake ranks 39 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

Blind Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 12, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. A documented public access point at Blind Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.