Goose Lake

Goose Lake earns a C — middle-of-the-pack water quality, with one or two parameters dragging the average down from a stronger grade. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.

At a TSI of 54, Goose Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake's 55 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Minnesota — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. At 732 acres, Goose Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 7.9 miles of shoreline. Goose Lake sits at rank 16 of 31 in Chisago County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Goose Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. Walleye are documented at Goose Lake, one of 15 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Goose Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a long ice-out record — 33 observations on file, with a median ice-out around Apr 6. The grade is supported by multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies, giving the letter a reasonably stable foundation.