Dam Lake
Aitkin County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
Dam Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Dam Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. A maximum depth of 48 ft puts Dam Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 598 acres, Dam Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 4.1 miles of shoreline. Among the 53 graded lakes in Aitkin County, Dam Lake sits at rank 18, above the county median.
Dam Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Walleye are documented at Dam Lake, one of 17 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Dam Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Ice-out has been recorded 9 times at Dam Lake, with a median around Apr 16. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 12 ft. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 48 ft |
| Average Depth | 19 ft |
| Surface Area | 597.66 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.1 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 43% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Dam Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Dam Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Dam Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.091 m/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (15 observations).
Estimated open water season: 226 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2016-04-01 (2016) | 2008-04-26 (2008) |
| Ice-In | 2014-11-16 (2014) | 2015-12-23 (2015) |
Most recent ice-out: 2022-04-16
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #18 of 53 lakes in Aitkin County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Dam Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Aitkin County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Dam Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Dam Lake With Nearby Lakes
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
20 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-07-23 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 31.50 | — |
| Bluegill | 27.89 | 0.17 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 11.29 | 1.01 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 5.18 | 0.13 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 2.93 | 0.85 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.93 | 2.21 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.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Yellow Perch
Yellow Bass
From the 2025-07-23 survey
This report includes results from multiple targeted surveys (TS) conducted throughout Aitkin County in 2025. Bigmouth Buffalo are present throughout Aitkin County. They are most abundant in the Mississippi River but are also common in lakes that have direct or distant connections to the Mississippi River via…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Dam Lake. 4 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — DamFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Dam (0076)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — DamFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — DamPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Dam Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN01-0096-00 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2024-10-13
Monitoring stations: 1