Bueber Lake
Cass County, MinnesotaEutrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Bueber Lake at a C: clarity at 6.2 ft, 37 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 54 signal an intermediate trophic state. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. A maximum depth of 32 ft puts Bueber Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Bueber Lake covers 132 acres alongside 2.0 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Bueber Lake ranks 131 of 132 in Cass County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Bueber Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery is bass-led, with 12 documented species across the lake's records. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 6.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 37 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 54.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.2 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 37 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 32 ft |
| Surface Area | 131.7 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 57% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Bueber Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Bueber Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Bueber Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.58 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +8.5 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #131 of 132 lakes in Cass County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bueber Lake holds Grade C. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- APleasant LakeCass County · mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- APine Mountain LakeCass County · mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- AFive Point LakeCass County · mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- ARainy LakeCass County · mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- BIsland LakeCass County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Cass County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
5 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2022-06-21 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 9.19 | 0.13 lb |
| Northern Pike | 6.84 | 1.89 lb |
| Bluegill | 6.08 | 0.46 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 3.07 | 0.82 lb |
| Black Crappie | 2.91 | 0.47 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 2.83 | 0.97 lb |
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.
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Bluegill
Black Bullhead
From the 2022-06-21 survey
Beuber Lake is a 132-acre lake with 1.95 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 32 feet located north of Backus, MN. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Beuber Lake is in Lake Class…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Bueber Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BeuberFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Beuber (1687)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — BeuberPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-09-12
Monitoring stations: 1