Hilltop Pd Lake
Dakota County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Hilltop Pd Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. Hilltop Pd Lake is a shallow lake at 12 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. The lake is compact at 40 acres, with 1.8 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Hilltop Pd Lake sits at rank 25 of 36 in Dakota County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Hilltop Pd Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The fishery is bass-led, with 7 documented species across the lake's records. 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 2024-09-10. 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 3.6 ft. Phosphorus level: 97 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 64.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 97 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 64 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 12 ft |
| Surface Area | 39.85 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.8 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 118% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Hilltop Pd Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Hilltop Pd Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Hilltop Pd Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.075 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +2.6 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #25 of 36 lakes in Dakota County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Hilltop Pd Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BCarlson LakeDakota County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BBlackhawk LakeDakota County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CFish LakeDakota County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CThomas LakeDakota County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CEast Thomas LakeDakota County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Dakota County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Hilltop Pd Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
4 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-05-21 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 31.52 | 0.09 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 20.76 | 0.47 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 7.57 | 0.16 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 6.56 | 0.56 lb |
| GOS | 3.57 | 0.12 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 3.11 | 0.15 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.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Hybrid Sunfish
Black Bullhead
From the 2025-05-21 survey
Blackhawk Lake is a 54-acre, class 42 lake located in the City of Eagan. The south shoreline is located within Blackhawk Lake Park, which is managed by the City of Eagan Parks and Recreation Department, and the north shoreline is developed with single-family homes. The City of Eagan maintains a carry-in boat access,…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Hilltop Pd Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BlackhawkFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — BlackhawkFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — BlackhawkPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Hilltop Pd 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 MN19-0066-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1 km)
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: 2024-09-10
Monitoring stations: 1