Blue Lake
Blue Lake in Scott County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 1.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 164.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14.5 µg/L. Maximum depth: 50 ft. Surface area: 70.09 acres.
- Clarity
- 1.9 ft
- Typical in August
- 72°F
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Area
- 70 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- No
Next lake in Scott County
Blue Lake is a 70-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Scott County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 50 feet (28-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 11 documented fish species including black bullhead, bluegill, and common carp. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Scott County, Blue Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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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)
Very murky, less than 1.9 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 164.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 14.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 67.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 164.5 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 14.5 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 67 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Blue Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Blue Lake in Scott 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.
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Water Temperature
Blue Lake typically sits around 72°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 76°F) and coldest in Oct (about 59°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 24 field readings (2024–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Blue Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 50 ft |
| Average Depth | 28.2 ft |
| Surface Area | 70 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 17% |
| Public Access | No |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Blue Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.38 m/yr | 2 |
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Blue Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Met Council - Blue Lake WwtpShakopee · 0.4 mi away · NPDES MN0029882MajorRecent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 21 lakes in Scott County
Nearby Lakes in Scott County
Frequently asked questions about Blue Lake
What is the water quality grade for Blue Lake?
- Blue Lake in Scott County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 1.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 164.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14.5 µg/L. Maximum depth: 50 ft. Surface area: 70.09 acres.
Is Blue Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Blue Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 14.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Blue Lake?
- Blue Lake typically sits around 72°F at the surface in August, from 24 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2024–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Blue Lake?
- Blue Lake has a maximum depth of 50 feet and an average depth of 28.2 feet. The lake covers 70.09 acres.
What fish are in Blue Lake?
- Fish species found in Blue Lake include black bullhead, bluegill, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rainbow trout, white sucker, yellow perch. Blue Lake is located in Scott County, Minnesota.
Explore Blue Lake across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Scott County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Minnesota River 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 Blue Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
80 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
MNPCA80 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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder