Hattie Lake
Stevens County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
On the scoring rubric Hattie Lake grades a D: clarity at 3.5 ft and phosphorus readings still being added keep it in the lower bracket for Stevens County.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. Hattie Lake is a shallow lake at 9 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. At 459 acres, Hattie Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 5.1 miles of shoreline. Hattie Lake ranks 1 of 6 in Stevens County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
No invasive species are currently listed at Hattie Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 7 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. 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 2024-09-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 3.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 59.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 9 ft |
| Average Depth | 7 ft |
| Surface Area | 459.13 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 5.1 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 101% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Hattie Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Hattie Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Hattie Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.405 m/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 6 lakes in Stevens County
Nearby Lakes in Stevens County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Hattie Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Hattie Lake With Nearby Lakes
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-05-03 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 103.73 | 0.33 lb |
| Fathead Minnow | 55.67 | — |
| IOD | 17.24 | — |
| Yellow Perch | 12.59 | 0.31 lb |
| Walleye | 7.19 | 1.75 lb |
| Black Crappie | 7.00 | 0.33 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Black Bullhead
Fathead Minnow
Yellow Perch
Walleye
From the 2023-05-03 survey
This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2022-2023 winter. Despite winter operation of an aeration system, trap netting results suggested winterkill severity was high. It is worth noting that low oxygen levels were already being observed in late December, prior to the…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Hattie Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — HattieFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — HattieFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — HattiePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Hattie Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN75-0200-00 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-09-01
Monitoring stations: 1