Garfield Lake
Hubbard County, Minnesota972 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Garfield Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Mesotrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- zebra mussel
- 32 ft max depth
- Public access
Garfield Lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 9.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 19 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 32 ft. Surface area: 972.29 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 23, 2025 caught 7.17 walleye per gill net at Garfield Lake. DNR survey details →
Free interactive depth-contour map of Garfield Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 35 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Minnesota DNR.
Garfield Lake is a 972-acre mesotrophic lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 32 feet (15-foot average). Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 12 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and bowfin (dogfish). Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in Hubbard County, Garfield Lake ranks #34 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-22. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Garfield Lake covers about 970 acres in Hubbard County. It has one public boat landing. The median ice-out date is April 27, which is when the open-water season begins. Vrbo is where to look for cabins and lake homes around Garfield Lake, and Booking.com and Expedia search hotels near the lake for your dates.
What Garfield Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing12 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 27
- Deep water32 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLow algae
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. Garfield Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Garfield 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 Garfield Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Garfield Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.5 ft. Phosphorus 19 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 4.8 µg/L. TSI 46.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 9.5ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 19µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 4.8µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 46 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about Garfield Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Garfield Lake typically sits around 66°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 69°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in May (about 56°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (56°F) to its warmest (70°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 66 field readings (2017–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Garfield Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 23, 2025 caught 7.17 walleye per gill net at Garfield Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Garfield 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
14 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-06-23 (Standard Survey).
14 surveys on file · most recent 2025-06-23 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 35.81 | ||
| Yellow Perch | 13.49 | 5–6 in 2025-06-23 | 0.17 lb |
| Fathead Minnow | 13.00 | ||
| Black Bullhead | 10.95 | 11 in 2015-06-22 | 0.84 lb |
| Bluegill | 7.74 | 3–9 in 2025-06-23 | 0.31 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.
Yellow Perch
Black Bullhead
Bluegill
From the 2025-06-23 survey
Garfield Lake (DOW # 29-0061-00) is located adjacent to the town of Laporte, in northeastern Hubbard County. Garfield Lake has a surface area of 960 acres and a maximum depth of 32 feet. There is a city-owned public access located on the southwest shore of the lake. Garfield is a popular lake for Walleye and Northern…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Garfield Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GarfieldFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Garfield (1254)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — GarfieldFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — GarfieldPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
32 ft
Average depth
15 ft
Surface area
972 acres
Shoreline
6.7 mi
Littoral zone
54%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
7 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
1,299 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Garfield LakePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Garfield Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Garfield Lake in Hubbard 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 Garfield 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 Garfield Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Improving6 years
Phosphorus
Improving-1.06 µg/L/yr6 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-0.38 µg/L/yr6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 27
Earliest Apr 4, 2021 · Latest May 8, 2022
Typical ice-in
Nov 28
Earliest Nov 24, 2021 · Latest Nov 30, 2006
Most recent ice-out
May 8
2022
17 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Garfield 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.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN29-0061-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Hubbard County
Frequently asked questions about Garfield Lake
Where is Garfield Lake?
- Garfield Lake is a lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Garfield Lake?
- Garfield Lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 9.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 19 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 32 ft. Surface area: 972.29 acres.
Is Garfield Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Garfield Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Garfield Lake?
- Garfield Lake typically sits around 66°F at the surface in September, from 66 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2017–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Garfield Lake?
- Garfield Lake has a maximum depth of 32 feet and an average depth of 15 feet. The lake covers 972.29 acres.
What fish are in Garfield Lake?
- Fish species found in Garfield Lake include black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Garfield Lake is located in Hubbard County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Garfield Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 23, 2025 caught 7.17 walleye per gill net at Garfield Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Garfield 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 Garfield Lake thaw?
- Garfield Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 27. Ice typically forms around Nov 28. The open water season is approximately 215 days.
Are there boat ramps on Garfield Lake?
- Garfield Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Garfield Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Garfield Lake?
- Garfield 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 Garfield 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 Hubbard County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Mississippi Headwaters, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
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Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Garfield Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
156 measurements from 3 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
MNPCA156 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 (3)
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
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