Campers Lake
Lake County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
On the LakeGrade scale Campers Lake grades a B, with clarity readings still being added and 23 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Minnesota median. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
A TSI near 49 places Campers Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. Campers Lake is a shallow lake at 3 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. The lake is compact at 48 acres, with 1.2 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Campers Lake sits at rank 80 of 142 in Lake County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Campers Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Campers Lake, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Campers Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2024-07-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 23 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 23 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 2.5 ft |
| Surface Area | 48.34 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.2 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Campers Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Campers Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Campers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +22 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #80 of 142 lakes in Lake County
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Campers Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2006-07-11 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| GOS | 24.50 | — |
| Yellow Perch | 5.17 | 0.12 lb |
| BNS | 3.25 | — |
| Northern Pike | 3.13 | 1.34 lb |
| White Sucker | 2.63 | 1.25 lb |
| Walleye | 1.50 | — |
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
White Sucker
Walleye
From the 2006-07-11 survey
Campers Lake is a small lake located 12 miles northwest of Isabella. The lake is very shallow with a maximum depth of 2.5 feet and in 2006 the lake supported a moderate stand of wild rice. The shoreline is undeveloped and in a wild state. The lake is accessed by way of a 0.25 mile channel from the Stony River, which…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Campers Lake. 2 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — CampersFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — CampersPublic 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: 2024-07-22
Monitoring stations: 1