Gun Lake
St. Louis County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
Gun Lake comes in at a B on the grading rubric — a respectable showing for a Minnesota lake of its size and depth.
Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Gun Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. The lake's 57 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Minnesota — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. Gun Lake covers 341 acres alongside 6.7 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Among the 187 graded lakes in St. Louis County, Gun Lake sits at rank 62, above the county median.
No invasive species are currently listed at Gun Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Gun Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. 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 2022-08-02. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 57 ft |
| Surface Area | 341.05 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 6.7 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 30% |
| Public Access | No |
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -1.525 m/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #62 of 187 lakes in St. Louis County
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Gun Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1973-08-25 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 6.50 | 1.11 lb |
| Rock Bass | 4.50 | 0.26 lb |
| Northern Pike | 1.00 | 1.77 lb |
| Smallmouth Bass | 0.50 | 1.55 lb |
| White Sucker | 0.50 | 2.6 lb |
| Bluegill | 0.50 | 0.35 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
From the 1973-08-25 survey
(grown young loon. The Walleye population is composed of fish from age groups & is relatively large. Northern pike are low in numbers. Smallmouth bass are about average in numbers.
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Gun Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GunFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2022-08-02
Monitoring stations: 3