Brophy Lake
Douglas County, Minnesota297 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Brophy Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Mesotrophic
- zebra mussel
- 44 ft max depth
- Public access
Brophy Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 15.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 44 ft. Surface area: 296.53 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 10, 2023 caught 30.60 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing at Brophy Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–19 inches. DNR survey details →
Brophy Lake is a 297-acre mesotrophic lake in Douglas County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 44 feet. Phosphorus level is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 36 other monitored lakes in Douglas County, Brophy Lake ranks #19 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-22. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Brophy Lake covers about 300 acres in Douglas County. It has one public boat landing. The median ice-out date is April 11, which is when the open-water season begins. Vrbo is where to look for cabins and lake homes around Brophy Lake, and Booking.com and Expedia search hotels near the lake for your dates.
What Brophy Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water15.4 ft of visibility
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing16 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 11
- Deep water44 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLow algae
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Brophy Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Brophy Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Brophy Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Crystal clear, you can see 15.4 ft down. Phosphorus 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 2.7 µg/L. TSI 42.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 15.4ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 21µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 2.7µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 42 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about Brophy Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Brophy Lake typically sits around 67°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 72°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 76°F) and coldest in Jun (about 65°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (65°F) to its warmest (76°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 61 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Brophy Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 10, 2023 caught 30.60 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing at Brophy Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–19 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Brophy Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-07-10 (Targeted Survey).
12 surveys on file · most recent 2023-07-10 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 19.21 | 3–8 in 2022-07-25 | 0.18 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 14.89 | 4–19 in 2022-07-25 | 0.9 lb |
| Yellow Bullhead | 14.52 | 6–15 in 2022-07-25 | 0.66 lb |
| Northern Pike | 5.72 | 14–28 in 2022-07-25 | 1.78 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and is not a weekly bite report.
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.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Yellow Bullhead
Northern Pike
From the 2023-07-10 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Brophy Lake was conducted on July 10, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Brophy Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BrophyFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Brophy (1067)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — BrophyFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — BrophyPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
44 ft
Surface area
297 acres
Shoreline
3.5 mi
Littoral zone
55%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
9 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
1,348 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Lake BrophyPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Brophy Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Brophy Lake in Douglas 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Brophy Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Follow Brophy Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Brophy 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: Stable
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Stable6 years
Phosphorus
Worsening+0.81 µg/L/yr6 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-0.06 µg/L/yr6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 11
Earliest Apr 7, 2004 · Latest Apr 30, 2008
Typical ice-in
Nov 28
Earliest Nov 25, 2014 · Latest Dec 13, 2004
Most recent ice-out
Apr 11
2015
13 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Brophy Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Garfield WwtpGarfield · 3.7 mi away · NPDES MN0023515
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.
Nearby Lakes in Douglas County
Frequently asked questions about Brophy Lake
Where is Brophy Lake?
- Brophy Lake is a lake in Douglas County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Brophy Lake?
- Brophy Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 15.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 44 ft. Surface area: 296.53 acres.
Is Brophy Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Brophy Lake?
- Brophy Lake typically sits around 67°F at the surface in September, from 61 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Brophy Lake?
- Brophy Lake has a maximum depth of 44 feet. The lake covers 296.53 acres.
What fish are in Brophy Lake?
- Fish species found in Brophy Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Brophy Lake is located in Douglas County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Brophy Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 10, 2023 caught 30.60 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing at Brophy Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–19 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Brophy Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Brophy Lake thaw?
- Brophy Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 11. Ice typically forms around Nov 28. The open water season is approximately 231 days.
Are there boat ramps on Brophy Lake?
- Brophy Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lake Brophy. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Brophy Lake?
- Brophy Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Brophy Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Douglas County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Alexandria Lakes area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the St. Croix Watershed, ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Lake Superior Basin (MN+WI), ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Sauk River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near Brophy Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
53 measurements from 4 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA52 samples · 2020–2025 - Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Pesticide Monitoring
MNDA_PESTICIDE1 sample · 2022
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- 2120 B ~ Color in Water by Visual Comparison
- 10200 H 2 ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination by spectrophotometer
Monitoring station identifiers (4)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from 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
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate