Fish Lake
Kanabec County, Minnesota506 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Fish Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Impaired · Mercury
- 8 ft max depth
- Public access
- Limited data
Fish Lake in Kanabec County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 8 ft. Surface area: 506.41 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 7, 2025 caught 1.64 northern pike per hour of electrofishing at Fish Lake. DNR survey details →
Fish Lake is a 506-acre lake in Kanabec County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 8 feet. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 21 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-29. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
What Fish Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing21 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 19
Swimming conditions
No readingRecreation use not supported
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Fish Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Fish Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Fish Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Fish Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. TSI 67.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 2ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | No reading The nutrient that most limits algae growth in freshwater. More phosphorus, more algae potential. | |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | No reading The green pigment in algae — a direct measure of how much algae is in the water. | |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 67 | Eutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Ask about Fish Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Fish Lake typically sits around 46°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 77°F) and coldest in Oct (about 46°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (46°F) to its warmest (77°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 51 field readings (2018–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Fish Lake water temperature breakdown →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Fish Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was high (216,770 cells/mL) on July 11, 2026.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 7, 2025 caught 1.64 northern pike per hour of electrofishing at Fish Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Fish Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
14 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-10-13 (Targeted Survey).
14 surveys on file · most recent 2025-10-13 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | 32.34 | 3–11 in 2025-06-05 | 0.33 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 26.20 | 3–18 in 2025-06-05 | 2.49 lb |
| Spottail Shiner | 18.69 | ||
| Bluegill | 14.83 | 3–9 in 2025-06-05 | 0.3 lb |
| Walleye | 14.08 | 6–8 in 2025-10-13 | 2.1 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and is not a weekly bite report.
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.
Black Crappie
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Walleye
From the 2025-10-13 survey
Fish Lake is a 506-acre shallow impoundment on the Ann River in southern Kanabec County located four miles south of Mora and is within the Snake River Watershed. The lake has a maximum depth of 8 feet and an average depth of 5 feet. The lake is 100% littoral (15 feet or less, 506 acres). Water clarity is poor with…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Fish Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — FishFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Fish (0284)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — FishFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — FishPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
8 ft
Surface area
506 acres
Shoreline
10 mi
Littoral zone
99%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
86 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
942 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Fish Lake (South)Public
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Fish Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Fish Lake in Kanabec 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 Fish Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Follow Fish Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Fish Lake
Water Quality Trend: Worsening
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Worsening6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 19
Earliest Mar 6, 2024 · Latest Apr 30, 2018
Typical ice-in
Nov 22
Earliest Nov 3, 2006 · Latest Dec 2, 2025
Most recent ice-out
Apr 2
2025
24 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Fish Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Fish Lake (completed 1930), built primarily for other on the Ann River; gravity-type dam, 13 ft tall and 1,200 ft long.
- Surface area
- 440 ac
- Normal storage
- 2,442 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,663 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 87 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MNDNR-Fisheries and Wildlife
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MN00572 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Fish Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption, Recreation.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN33-0036-00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Fish Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Ogilvie WwtpOgilvie · 3.8 mi away · NPDES MN0021997Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Nearby Lakes in Kanabec County
Frequently asked questions about Fish Lake
Where is Fish Lake?
- Fish Lake is a lake in Kanabec County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Fish Lake?
- Fish Lake in Kanabec County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 8 ft. Surface area: 506.41 acres.
Is Fish Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Fish Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Fish Lake?
- Fish Lake typically sits around 46°F at the surface in October, from 51 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2018–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Fish Lake?
- Fish Lake has a maximum depth of 8 feet. The lake covers 506.41 acres.
What fish are in Fish Lake?
- Fish species found in Fish Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, freshwater drum, golden redhorse, greater redhorse, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, shorthead redhorse, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Fish Lake is located in Kanabec County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Fish Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 7, 2025 caught 1.64 northern pike per hour of electrofishing at Fish Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Fish Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Fish Lake thaw?
- Fish Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 19. Ice typically forms around Nov 22. The open water season is approximately 217 days.
Does Fish Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Fish Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was high (216,770 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Minnesota's current advisory before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Fish Lake?
- Fish Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Fish Lake (South). Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Fish Lake?
- Fish Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Fish Lake across LakeQuality
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Kanabec County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Rum River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near Fish Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
78 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA78 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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