Gun Club Lake
Dakota County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
Gun Club Lake earns an F: phosphorus readings still being added and clarity at 2.8 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed.
At a TSI of 62, Gun Club Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. At only 10 ft deep, Gun Club Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. Gun Club Lake covers 103 acres alongside 1.9 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Gun Club Lake ranks 36 of 36 in Dakota County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Gun Club Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 10, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. A documented public access point at Gun Club Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2023-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2.8 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.8 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 9.5 ft |
| Surface Area | 102.58 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.9 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 99% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Gun Club Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Gun Club Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Gun Club Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
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 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.117 m/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #36 of 36 lakes in Dakota County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Gun Club Lake holds Grade F. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Dakota County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Gun Club Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
13 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2017-06-06 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 30.62 | 0.13 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 15.27 | 0.4 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 11.92 | 0.09 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 10.82 | 0.1 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 5.81 | 0.36 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 2.90 | 0.57 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
Black Bullhead
Pumpkinseed
Hybrid Sunfish
From the 2017-06-06 survey
Snelling Lake is located in Fort Snelling State Park, one of the most popular state parks in Minnesota. Shore fishing locations include a pier on the north end of the lake. Boat access is available on the southern end of the lake but gas engines are prohibited. This shallow class 43 lake is heavily vegetated with a…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Gun Club Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — SnellingFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — SnellingFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — SnellingPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Gun Club Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN27-0001-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.32 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
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2023-09-18
Monitoring stations: 1