Gander Lake
Lake County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
Gander Lake earns a D — measurements through 2020 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. A maximum depth of just 7 ft means sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the water column whenever wind stirs the bottom — a classic shallow-lake dynamic. Gander Lake covers 117 acres alongside 3.5 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Gander Lake ranks 126 of 142 in Lake County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Gander Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. 4 fish species are documented at Gander Lake, a mixed warm-water community typical for Minnesota lakes of this size. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. Ice-out has been recorded 5 times at Gander Lake, with a median around Apr 27. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2020-09-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 5.6 ft. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 7 ft |
| Surface Area | 116.9 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Gander Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Gander Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Gander Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (10 observations).
Estimated open water season: 200 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2017-04-10 (2017) | 2022-05-08 (2022) |
| Ice-In | 2018-11-09 (2018) | 2024-11-26 (2024) |
Most recent ice-out: 2025-04-27
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #126 of 142 lakes in Lake County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Gander Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Gander Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
3 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2005-07-18 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| BNS | 146.33 | — |
| GOS | 95.33 | — |
| Yellow Perch | 56.02 | 0.1 lb |
| Northern Pike | 6.35 | 2.27 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 5.14 | 0.04 lb |
| TPM | 4.03 | 0.03 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
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.
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Pumpkinseed
TPM
From the 2005-07-18 survey
Gander Lake is a relatively small, remote lake approximately 8 miles northwest of Isabella. Most of the lake is surrounded by Federal land however there is no developed public access. There are a number of locations on the lake where there is private access. The lake supports a natural population of northern pike,…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Gander Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GanderFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Gander Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN38-0554-00 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2020-09-28
Monitoring stations: 1