Cox Lake

Cox Lake comes in at a B on the grading rubric — a respectable showing for a Minnesota lake of its size and depth.

Trophically, Cox Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. A maximum depth of 30 ft puts Cox Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 61 acres, Cox Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Cox Lake sits at rank 24 of 40 in Clearwater County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

No invasive species are currently listed at Cox Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Cox Lake, one of 9 fish species on record for the lake. No formal public access is documented at Cox Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.