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Gull Lake

Cook County, MinnesotaOligotrophic

Gull Lake earns an A — every scored parameter (clarity and phosphorus) rates among the best monitored waters in Cook County. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.

Trophically, Gull Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Among the 128 graded lakes in Cook County, Gull Lake ranks 6 — in the top quartile locally.

Gull Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Gull Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. A documented public access point at Gull Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2024-07-02. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Reviewed by LakeQuality Editorial Team · Updated

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Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Crystal clear, you can see 16.4 ft down. Phosphorus level: 9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 36.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)16.4 ftA
Phosphorus9 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)36Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Water Quality Trend: Declining

Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-0.206 m/yr5
Phosphorus Declining+3.1 µg/L/yr4
See year-by-year chart →

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #6 of 128 lakes in Cook County

Nearby Lakes in Cook County

DNR Reports & Resources

Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Gull Lake. 1 report on file.

EPA Impairment Status

Gull Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Mercury

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN16-0632-01 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.64 km)

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

Most recent sample: 2024-07-02

Monitoring stations: 1