Ham Lake

Ham Lake earns a D — measurements through 2021 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.

At a TSI of 51, Ham Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake's 53 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Minnesota — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. Ham Lake covers 1,469 acres alongside 27.6 miles of shoreline, large enough that conditions can vary meaningfully between bays. Within the 142 graded lakes of Lake County, Ham Lake sits at rank 120, near the bottom of the county list.

Ham Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2021, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Ham 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.