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.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.4 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.6 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Invasive Species
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.9 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.6 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (74 observations).
Estimated open water season: 200 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 1945-04-09 (1945) | 1950-05-23 (1950) |
| Ice-In | 2018-11-13 (2018) | 2021-11-25 (2021) |
Most recent ice-out: 2022-05-08
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #102 of 133 lakes in Cass County
Nearby Lakes in Cass County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Boy Bay Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
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.
- —Public Water Access Sites — Leech (Main Basin)Public Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
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