Gun Lake

Gun Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.

A TSI near 49 places Gun Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. Gun Lake reaches 44 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. The lake's 712 acres and 8.7 miles of shoreline put it in the mid-range bucket — large enough for varied use, small enough that watershed inputs reach the whole basin. Within Aitkin County's 53 graded lakes, Gun Lake ranks 34 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

No invasive species are currently listed at Gun Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 16 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Gun Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Ice-out has been recorded 16 times at Gun Lake, with a median around Apr 16. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.