Dago Lake
Pine County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
On the LakeGrade scale Dago Lake grades a B, with clarity at 12.8 ft and phosphorus readings still being added placing it above the Minnesota median.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. A maximum depth of 20 ft puts Dago Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Dago Lake covers 118 acres alongside 1.9 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Among the 19 graded lakes in Pine County, Dago Lake sits at rank 6, above the county median.
No invasive species are currently listed at Dago Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Dago Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. 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 2020-08-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Track Dago Lake
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 12.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.8 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 20 ft |
| Surface Area | 117.81 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.9 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 91% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 19 lakes in Pine County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Dago Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Pine County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Dago Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2006-07-05 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 17.32 | 1.42 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 15.95 | 0.47 lb |
| Bluegill | 5.59 | 0.18 lb |
| Northern Pike | 4.33 | 1.54 lb |
| Black Crappie | 3.00 | 0.16 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 2.89 | 0.08 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.
Largemouth Bass
Black Bullhead
Bluegill
Northern Pike
From the 2006-07-05 survey
Dago is a 107-acre moderately fertile lake located within the General C. C. Andrews State Forest in northern Pine County. The Dago Lake Day Use Area contains a public boat access with a large parking lot, picnic tables, and several trails. The lakes clear water and sandy shores are popular with swimmers, though no…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Dago Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — DagoFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Dago (0419)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — DagoPublic 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: 2020-08-26
Monitoring stations: 1