Hatchet Lake

On the scoring rubric Hatchet Lake grades a D: clarity at 5.5 ft and phosphorus readings still being added keep it in the lower bracket for Lake County.

Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. Hatchet Lake reaches 40 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 127 acres, Hatchet Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 3.5 miles of shoreline. Hatchet Lake ranks 124 of 142 in Lake County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

Hatchet Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2023, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Hatchet Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Hatchet 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.