Fifth Chain Lake
Itasca County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
Fifth Chain Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. A maximum depth of 42 ft puts Fifth Chain Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Fifth Chain Lake covers 193 acres alongside 4.2 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Within Itasca County's 141 graded lakes, Fifth Chain Lake ranks 82 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.
No invasive species are currently listed at Fifth Chain Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Fifth Chain Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Fifth Chain Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-28. 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 12.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.5 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 | 42 ft |
| Surface Area | 192.82 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.2 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 46% |
| Public Access | No |
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.323 m/yr | 4 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #82 of 141 lakes in Itasca County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Fifth Chain Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Itasca County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Fifth Chain Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1987-06-17 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 21.00 | 0.17 lb |
| CRP | 13.88 | 0.36 lb |
| Rock Bass | 3.50 | 0.54 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 3.00 | 1.25 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.86 | 1.91 lb |
| Black Crappie | 2.10 | 0.32 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
From the 1987-06-17 survey
NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE AND SIZE ARE GOOD. BLUEGILL ABUNDANT, BUT VERY SMALL. YELLOW PERCH POPULATION IS VERY LOW.
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Fifth Chain Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — ElizabethFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-09-28
Monitoring stations: 2