Ed Shave Lake
Ed Shave Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 11.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 10 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 17 ft. Surface area: 90.47 acres.
- Clarity
- 11.5 ft
- Max depth
- 17 ft
- Area
- 90 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in St. Louis County
Ed Shave Lake is a 90-acre mesotrophic lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 17 feet. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and smallmouth bass. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in St. Louis County, Ed Shave Lake ranks #27 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-08-13. 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.
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A (Excellent)
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 10 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 4.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 10 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.2 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Ed Shave Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 17 ft |
| Surface Area | 90 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 91% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Ed Shave LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Ed Shave Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Ed Shave Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN69-0199-00 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #27 of 68 lakes in St. Louis County
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
Frequently asked questions about Ed Shave Lake
What is the water quality grade for Ed Shave Lake?
- Ed Shave Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 11.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 10 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 17 ft. Surface area: 90.47 acres.
Is Ed Shave Lake safe to swim in?
- Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Ed Shave Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 4.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Ed Shave Lake?
- Ed Shave Lake has a maximum depth of 17 feet. The lake covers 90.47 acres.
What fish are in Ed Shave Lake?
- Fish species found in Ed Shave Lake include black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch. Ed Shave Lake is located in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
Are there boat ramps on Ed Shave Lake?
- Ed Shave Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Ed Shave Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
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Where this data comes from
12 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA12 samples · 2025
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory