Dade Lake
Cass County, Minnesota99 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Dade Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Mesotrophic
- zebra mussel
- Public access
Dade Lake in Cass County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 5.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 12 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2 µg/L. Surface area: 99.41 acres.
Minnesota DNR surveys at Dade Lake average 1.33 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated May 5, 2014. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 18–23 inches. DNR survey details →
Dade Lake is a 99-acre mesotrophic lake in Cass County, Minnesota. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including largemouth bass, northern pike, and pumpkinseed. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 103 other monitored lakes in Cass County, Dade Lake ranks #59 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2021-09-28. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Dade Lake covers about 99 acres in Cass County. It has one public boat landing. For a place on the water, look through cabin and lake-house rentals near Dade Lake on Vrbo. For a hotel or motel room, Booking.com and Expedia both search around the lake.
What Dade Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing4 species recorded
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 Dade 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 Dade Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Dade Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Murky, only visible to about 5.2 ft. Phosphorus 12 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 2 µg/L. TSI 44.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 5.2ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 12µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 2µg/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. | 44 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about Dade Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Minnesota DNR surveys at Dade Lake average 1.33 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated May 5, 2014. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 18–23 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Dade Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2014-05-05 (Targeted Survey).
1 survey on file · most recent 2014-05-05 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 6.67 | 4–5 in 2014-05-05 | 0.06 lb |
| Northern Pike | 1.33 | 18–23 in 2014-05-05 | 2.04 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 0.33 | 17 in 2014-05-05 | 3.21 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 0.33 | 7 in 2014-05-05 | 0.37 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.
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Pumpkinseed
From the 2014-05-05 survey
Three 3/8" trap nets were set on May 5, 2014 and lifted May 6, 2014 to assess winterkill in Dade Lake. Some fish species sampled included one largemouth bass with a length of 18", one pumpkinseed at 7.5", 4 northern pike with a size range of 19"-24", and 20 yellow perch with a size range of 4"-5.5".
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Dade Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — DadeFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Dade (1443)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — DadePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Surface area
99 acres
Shoreline
1.7 mi
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
No bathymetric survey has been published for Dade Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Dade LakePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Dade Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Dade Lake in Cass 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 Dade 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 Dade 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 Dade 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: Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring (2020–2023).
Water clarity
Improving4 years
Phosphorus
Worsening+3.5 µg/L/yr2 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-0.1 µg/L/yr2 years
Nearby Lakes in Cass County
Frequently asked questions about Dade Lake
Where is Dade Lake?
- Dade Lake is a lake in Cass County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Dade Lake?
- Dade Lake in Cass County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 5.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 12 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2 µg/L. Surface area: 99.41 acres.
Is Dade Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What fish are in Dade Lake?
- Fish species found in Dade Lake include largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, yellow perch. Dade Lake is located in Cass County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Dade Lake?
- Minnesota DNR surveys at Dade Lake average 1.33 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated May 5, 2014. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 18–23 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Dade Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Are there boat ramps on Dade Lake?
- Dade Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Dade Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Dade Lake?
- Dade 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 Dade Lake across LakeQuality
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Cass County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Brainerd Lakes area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Mississippi Headwaters, ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Pine River Watersheds (Brainerd Lakes), ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near Dade Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
24 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA24 samples · 2020–2021
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H 2 ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination by spectrophotometer
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
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
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory