Gust Lake

Gust Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year.

A TSI near 49 places Gust Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. At only 6 ft deep, Gust Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. Gust Lake covers 143 acres alongside 3.1 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Within Cook County's 128 graded lakes, Gust Lake ranks 80 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

Gust Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 5 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. No formal public access is documented at Gust Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.