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LakeQuality
B

Boy Bay Lake

Cass County, MinnesotaMesotrophic

On the LakeGrade scale Boy Bay Lake grades a B, with clarity at 7.4 ft and phosphorus readings still being added placing it above the Minnesota median. Secchi readings are the weakest of the three parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.

A TSI near 46 places Boy Bay Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Boy Bay Lake ranks 102 of 133 in Cass County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

Zebra mussel presence at Boy Bay Lake means the lake's clarity numbers carry an asterisk — filtered water is not the same as nutrient-poor water. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Boy Bay Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. The lake has a long ice-out record — 71 observations on file, with a median ice-out around Apr 28. 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 2023-09-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels

Water Quality Grade: B, Good

Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.4 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 3.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)7.4 ftC
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)3.6 µg/LA
Trophic State Index (TSI)46Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoilstarry stonewortzebra mussel

Water Quality Trend: Stable

Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-0.9 m/yr2
Chlorophyll-a Improving-1.6 µg/L/yr2

Ice Season

Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (74 observations).

Typical Ice-Out
Apr 28
Typical Ice-In
Nov 14

Estimated open water season: 200 days

EarliestLatest
Ice-Out1945-04-09 (1945)1950-05-23 (1950)
Ice-In2018-11-13 (2018)2021-11-25 (2021)

Most recent ice-out: 2022-05-08

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #102 of 133 lakes in Cass County

Nearby Lakes in Cass County

State Parks Near Boy Bay Lake

DNR Reports & Resources

Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Boy Bay Lake. 1 report on file.

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate

Most recent sample: 2023-09-07

Monitoring stations: 1