Emma Lake

Emma Lake earns an A — water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate among the best monitored waters in Hubbard County. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

Trophically, Emma Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. At 50 ft of maximum depth, Emma Lake stratifies reliably through the summer — the hypolimnion stays cooler and clearer than the surface layer suggests. The lake is compact at 78 acres, with 1.5 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Emma Lake ranks 11 of 77 in Hubbard County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.

No invasive species are currently listed at Emma Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Emma Lake, one of 11 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Emma Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a partial ice record — 7 observed ice-outs, centered near Apr 13. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.