Curtis Lake

Curtis Lake pulls a D on the LakeGrade rubric — phosphorus loading and limited clarity hold it below the Minnesota average.

At a TSI of 57, Curtis Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. At only 8 ft deep, Curtis Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. Curtis Lake covers 382 acres alongside 5.5 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Curtis Lake ranks 1 of 5 in Yellow Medicine County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.

No invasive species are currently listed at Curtis Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Curtis Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. A documented public access point at Curtis Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.