Blue Lake
Isanti County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Blue Lake earns a C — middle-of-the-pack water quality, with one or two parameters dragging the average down from a stronger grade. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. Blue Lake reaches 31 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 296 acres, Blue Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 6.4 miles of shoreline. Blue Lake ranks 9 of 19 in Isanti County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Blue Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 13 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Blue Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies back the grade, so the letter should hold steady absent a major watershed shift.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swim with caution, moderate algae may be present
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 47 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 16 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 54.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 47 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 16 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 31 ft |
| Surface Area | 295.99 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 6.4 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 45% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Blue Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Blue Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Blue Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.554 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -18 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -2.6 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 19 lakes in Isanti County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Blue Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AEast Hunter LakeSherburne County · mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- ASandy LakeSherburne County · mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- BWest Hunter LakeSherburne County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Isanti County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-05-12 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | 85.95 | 0.19 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 22.58 | 0.84 lb |
| Bluegill | 20.44 | 0.14 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 19.27 | — |
| Yellow Perch | 10.59 | 0.11 lb |
| JND | 10.58 | — |
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.
Black Crappie
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
From the 2025-05-12 survey
Blue Lake is a 263-acre lake in southwest Isanti County located five miles northeast of Zimmerman and is within the Rum River watershed. It has a maximum depth of 31 feet and 51 percent of the lake is less than 15 feet deep (134 acres). Water clarity in May and June can be 6 to 9 feet; however, it becomes low in…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Blue Lake. 4 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BlueFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Blue (1850)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — BlueFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — BluePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Blue Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN30-0114-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.3 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-09-17
Monitoring stations: 2