Elm Island Lake

Elm Island Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.

At a TSI of 57, Elm Island Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake bottoms out at 25 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. Elm Island Lake covers 520 acres alongside 7.9 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Within the 53 graded lakes of Aitkin County, Elm Island Lake sits at rank 47, near the bottom of the county list.

No invasive species are currently listed at Elm Island Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 15 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Elm Island Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a partial ice record — 16 observed ice-outs, centered near Apr 18. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.