Grouse Lake
Lake County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
Grouse Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. Grouse Lake is a shallow lake at 11 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. At 119 acres, Grouse Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 3.3 miles of shoreline. Grouse Lake ranks 125 of 142 in Lake County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Grouse Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Grouse Lake, one of 9 fish species on record for the lake. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-10. 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 6 ft. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 11 ft |
| Surface Area | 119.23 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.3 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Grouse Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Grouse Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Grouse Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.03 m/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #125 of 142 lakes in Lake County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Grouse Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Grouse Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
9 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2017-07-10 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| CSH | 24.13 | — |
| SDS | 21.00 | — |
| Yellow Perch | 17.83 | 0.22 lb |
| BNS | 10.54 | — |
| White Sucker | 8.19 | 2.17 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.66 | 1.59 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
White Sucker
Northern Pike
From the 2017-07-10 survey
Grouse Lake is located 7.5 miles northwest of Isabella and is 119 acres in size with a maximum depth of 11 feet. There is a carry-in access with a 100 foot trail suitable for small boats and canoes on Grouse Lake Road a short distance west of USFS Road 177 (Mitawan Lake Road). The water has a brown, bog-stained color…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Grouse Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GrouseFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Grouse (1092)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — GrousePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Grouse 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 MN38-0557-00 · 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
Most recent sample: 2024-10-10
Monitoring stations: 1