Ida Lake
Becker County, Minnesota632 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Ida Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Mesotrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- zebra mussel
- 20 ft max depth
- Public access
Ida Lake in Becker County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 12.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5.3 µg/L. Maximum depth: 20 ft. Surface area: 631.8 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on September 6, 2023 caught 1.29 northern pike per hour of electrofishing at Ida Lake. DNR survey details →
Ida Lake is a 632-acre mesotrophic lake in Becker County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 20 feet. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 14 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 83 other monitored lakes in Becker County, Ida Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-10-02. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
What Ida Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water12.1 ft of visibility
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing14 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 23
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLow algae
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Ida Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Ida Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Ida Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Ida Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Good clarity, visible to about 12.1 ft. Phosphorus 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 5.3 µg/L. TSI 46.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 12.1ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 23µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 5.3µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 46 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about Ida Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Ida Lake typically sits around 60°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 77°F) and coldest in May (about 59°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (59°F) to its warmest (77°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 20 field readings (2010–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Ida Lake water temperature breakdown →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Ida Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was moderate (77,983 cells/mL) on November 22, 2025.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on September 6, 2023 caught 1.29 northern pike per hour of electrofishing at Ida Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Ida Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
10 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-09-06 (Targeted Survey).
10 surveys on file · most recent 2023-09-06 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 54.88 | 3–9 in 2023-06-26 | 0.19 lb |
| Yellow Bullhead | 17.51 | 5–13 in 2023-06-26 | 0.85 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 10.48 |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and is not a weekly bite report.
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
Yellow Bullhead
From the 2023-09-06 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Ida Lake was conducted on September 6th-7th, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Ida Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — IdaFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — IdaFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — IdaPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
20 ft
Surface area
632 acres
Shoreline
7 mi
Littoral zone
69%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
5 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
1,345 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Lake IdaPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Ida Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Ida Lake in Becker County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Ida Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Follow Ida Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Ida Lake
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: Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Improving6 years
Phosphorus
Improving-1.63 µg/L/yr6 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-0.55 µg/L/yr6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 23
Earliest Apr 13, 2005 · Latest May 10, 2013
Most recent ice-out
May 2
2022
8 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Ida Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN03-0582-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Becker County
Frequently asked questions about Ida Lake
Where is Ida Lake?
- Ida Lake is a lake in Becker County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Ida Lake?
- Ida Lake in Becker County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 12.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5.3 µg/L. Maximum depth: 20 ft. Surface area: 631.8 acres.
Is Ida Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Ida Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Ida Lake?
- Ida Lake typically sits around 60°F at the surface in September, from 20 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2021). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Ida Lake?
- Ida Lake has a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lake covers 631.8 acres.
What fish are in Ida Lake?
- Fish species found in Ida Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Ida Lake is located in Becker County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Ida Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on September 6, 2023 caught 1.29 northern pike per hour of electrofishing at Ida Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Ida Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Ida Lake thaw?
- Ida Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 23.
Does Ida Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Ida Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was moderate (77,983 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Minnesota's current advisory before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Ida Lake?
- Ida Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lake Ida. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Ida Lake?
- Ida Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Ida Lake across LakeQuality
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Becker County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Detroit Lakes Area area
Top lakes and where to stay in the Park Rapids Area area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Red River of the North Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near Ida Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Ida Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
55 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA55 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate