Dora Lake
Dora Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 27 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 8.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 18 ft. Surface area: 423.11 acres.
- Clarity
- 7.5 ft
- Typical in August
- 75°F
- Max depth
- 18 ft
- Area
- 423 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
- Ice-out
- Apr 20
- Open water
- 207 days
Next lake in Itasca County
Dora Lake is a 423-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Itasca County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 18 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2021. The lake supports 13 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 71 other monitored lakes in Itasca County, Dora Lake ranks #58 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2021-09-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 27 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 8.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 27 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.1 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Dora Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Dora Lake in Itasca 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 Dora Lake
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Water Temperature
Dora Lake typically sits around 75°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 76°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 77°F) and coldest in May (about 65°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 21 field readings (2021–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Dora Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 18 ft |
| Surface Area | 423 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 6.8 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Dora LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Dora 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.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
7 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2019-06-17 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 25.38 | 0.24 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 8.36 | 0.74 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 7.48 | 0.43 lb |
| White Sucker | 4.15 | 1.83 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.28 | 1.38 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 1.19 | 0.45 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.
Yellow Perch
Brown Bullhead
Black Bullhead
White Sucker
From the 2019-06-17 survey
Dora Lake is located in northwest Itasca County near Wirt, MN and is part of the Big Fork River watershed in the Hudson Bay drainage. This riverine lake is a widening of the Big Fork River. Dora Lake covers 447 acres and has a maximum depth of 18 ft. Partial winterkills have occurred occasionally. The water is bog…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Dora Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — DoraFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Dora (0677)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — DoraFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — DoraPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (15 observations).
Estimated open water season: 207 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2012-03-31 (2012) | 2013-05-11 (2013) |
| Ice-In | 2017-11-02 (2017) | 2016-12-05 (2016) |
Most recent ice-out: 2021-04-04
County Ranking
Ranked #58 of 72 lakes in Itasca County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Dora Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Itasca County
Frequently asked questions about Dora Lake
What is the water quality grade for Dora Lake?
- Dora Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 27 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 8.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 18 ft. Surface area: 423.11 acres.
Is Dora Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Dora Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 8.1 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Dora Lake?
- Dora Lake typically sits around 75°F at the surface in August, from 21 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2021–2021). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Dora Lake?
- Dora Lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet. The lake covers 423.11 acres.
What fish are in Dora Lake?
- Fish species found in Dora Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Dora Lake is located in Itasca County, Minnesota.
When does Dora Lake thaw?
- Dora Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 20. Ice typically forms around Nov 13. The open water season is approximately 207 days.
Are there boat ramps on Dora Lake?
- Dora Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Dora Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Dora Lake across LakeGrade
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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State Parks Near Dora Lake
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Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
15 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA15 samples · 2021
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate