George Lake
George Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 10.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 32 ft. Surface area: 8.55 acres.
- Clarity
- 7.3 ft
- Typical in August
- 64°F
- Max depth
- 32 ft
- Area
- 9 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Stearns County
George Lake is a 9-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Stearns County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 32 feet (16-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 8 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and common carp. Public access is available with 4 public boat landings. Compared to the 31 other monitored lakes in Stearns County, George Lake ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2022-10-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyModerate
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.3 ft. Phosphorus level: 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 10.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.3 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 23 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 10.7 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near George Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near George Lake in Stearns 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.
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Water Temperature
George Lake typically sits around 64°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 61°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 64°F) and coldest in Apr (about 44°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 414 field readings (2010–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full George Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 32 ft |
| Average Depth | 16.1 ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 0.4 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 47% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Recreation & Access
- Wilson ParkPublic
- 5th Avenue North (Butler Park)Public
- Municipal ParkPublic
- Beaver IslandPublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing George Lake
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
4 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2016-06-03 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 91.42 | 0.09 lb |
| GOS | 85.64 | 0.08 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 53.82 | 0.48 lb |
| Black Crappie | 25.45 | 0.16 lb |
| Common Carp | 18.68 | 2.57 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 10.09 | 0.09 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.
Bluegill
GOS
Largemouth Bass
Black Crappie
From the 2016-06-03 survey
Lake George is a small lake with a unique history located within the City of St. Cloud. When originally surveyed in 1855 the lake was approximately four times larger than it is today. The lake was originally supplied with water by a combination of springs and a small creek located on the west side. Water drained…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for George Lake. 2 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GeorgeFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — GeorgeFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.035 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.5 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.65 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of George Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Sysco Western MinnesotaSaint Cloud · 1.8 mi away · NPDES MN0052728
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.
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 32 lakes in Stearns County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
George Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Stearns County
Frequently asked questions about George Lake
What is the water quality grade for George Lake?
- George Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 10.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 32 ft. Surface area: 8.55 acres.
Is George Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. George Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 10.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of George Lake?
- George Lake typically sits around 64°F at the surface in August, from 414 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2022). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is George Lake?
- George Lake has a maximum depth of 32 feet and an average depth of 16.1 feet. The lake covers 8.55 acres.
What fish are in George Lake?
- Fish species found in George Lake include black crappie, bluegill, common carp, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, walleye, yellow perch. George Lake is located in Stearns County, Minnesota.
Are there boat ramps on George Lake?
- George Lake has 4 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Wilson Park, 5th Avenue North (Butler Park), Municipal Park, Beaver Island. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore George Lake across LakeGrade
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
125 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA125 samples · 2020–2022
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory