Hendricks Lake

On the scoring rubric Hendricks Lake grades a D: clarity at 6.2 ft and phosphorus readings still being added keep it in the lower bracket for Lincoln County. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.

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. At only 9 ft deep, Hendricks Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. At 1,522 acres, Hendricks Lake is one of the larger lakes in Lincoln County, with 12.6 miles of shoreline supporting multiple distinct use patterns. Among the 5 graded lakes in Lincoln County, Hendricks Lake sits at rank 2, above the county median.

No invasive species are currently listed at Hendricks Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 18 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Hendricks Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Ice-out has been recorded 24 times at Hendricks Lake, with a median around Apr 5. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.