Fountain Lake
Wright County, Minnesota435 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Fountain Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Hypereutrophic
- 10 ft max depth
- Public access
- Limited data
Fountain Lake in Wright County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 126.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 174 µg/L. Maximum depth: 10 ft. Surface area: 434.65 acres.
Minnesota DNR surveys at Fountain Lake average 71.50 black bullhead per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 11, 2017. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–12 inches. DNR survey details →
Fountain Lake is a 435-acre highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Wright County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 10 feet (5-foot average). Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including black bullhead, brown bullhead, and common carp. Public access is available. Compared to the 50 other monitored lakes in Wright County, Fountain Lake ranks #34 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-10-23. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Fountain Lake covers about 430 acres in Wright County. The median ice-out date is April 15, which is when the open-water season begins. Vrbo is where to look for cabins and lake homes around Fountain Lake, and Booking.com and Expedia search hotels near the lake for your dates.
What Fountain Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Fishing5 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 15
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Fountain 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 Fountain Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Fountain 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 1 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 126.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 174 µg/L. TSI 78.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 1ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 127µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 174µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 78 | Hypereutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Ask about Fountain Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Fountain Lake typically sits around 67°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 76°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 79°F) and coldest in Sep (about 67°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (67°F) to its warmest (79°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 13 field readings (2011–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Fountain Lake water temperature breakdown →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Fountain Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was very high (1,674,943 cells/mL) on July 19, 2026.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Minnesota DNR surveys at Fountain Lake average 71.50 black bullhead per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 11, 2017. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–12 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Fountain Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2017-09-11 (Targeted Survey).
1 survey on file · most recent 2017-09-11 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 71.50 | 4–12 in 2017-09-11 | 0.09 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 39.67 | 3–7 in 2017-09-11 | 0.06 lb |
| Common Carp | 1.67 | 18–29 in 2017-09-11 | 4.56 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 0.67 | 10–15 in 2017-09-11 | 1.09 lb |
| White Sucker | 0.17 | 15 in 2017-09-11 | 1.46 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 Bullhead
Green Sunfish
Common Carp
Brown Bullhead
From the 2017-09-11 survey
Fountain is a 430-acre lake located southeast of the City of Montrose in Wright County. It is a relatively shallow and eutrophic lake with a maximum depth of 10 feet. Fountain Lake has relatively large amounts of floating leaf and emergent plants such as yellow water lily, cattail and bulrush. However, little…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Fountain Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — FountainFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Fountain (1942)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — FountainPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
10 ft
Average depth
5 ft
Surface area
435 acres
Shoreline
5.4 mi
Littoral zone
99%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
2 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
922 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Fountain Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Fountain Lake in Wright 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. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae, not lodging. Cabins and rentals around Fountain Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Fountain 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 →
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Fountain Lake
Water Quality Trend: Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Worsening6 years
Phosphorus
Improving-3.4 µg/L/yr2 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-8.8 µg/L/yr2 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 15
Earliest Mar 11, 2016 · Latest Apr 29, 2015
Typical ice-in
Nov 19
Earliest Nov 11, 2014 · Latest Nov 24, 2007
Most recent ice-out
Apr 11
2022
10 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Fountain Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Montrose WwtpMontrose · 1.6 mi away · NPDES MN0024228Recent 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 Wright County
Frequently asked questions about Fountain Lake
Where is Fountain Lake?
- Fountain Lake is a lake in Wright County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Fountain Lake?
- Fountain Lake in Wright County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 126.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 174 µg/L. Maximum depth: 10 ft. Surface area: 434.65 acres.
Is Fountain Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Fountain Lake?
- Fountain Lake typically sits around 67°F at the surface in September, from 13 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2011–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Fountain Lake?
- Fountain Lake has a maximum depth of 10 feet and an average depth of 5 feet. The lake covers 434.65 acres.
What fish are in Fountain Lake?
- Fish species found in Fountain Lake include black bullhead, brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, white sucker. Fountain Lake is located in Wright County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Fountain Lake?
- Minnesota DNR surveys at Fountain Lake average 71.50 black bullhead per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 11, 2017. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–12 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Fountain Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Fountain Lake thaw?
- Fountain Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 15. Ice typically forms around Nov 19. The open water season is approximately 218 days.
Does Fountain Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Fountain Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was very high (1,674,943 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Minnesota's current advisory before swimming.
Can I fish at Fountain Lake?
- Public access to Fountain Lake is listed as yes on the lake record. 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 Fountain Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Wright County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Crow River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
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State Parks Near Fountain Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Hypereutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Fountain Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
63 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA63 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate