Indian Lake
Wright County, MinnesotaEutrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Indian Lake at a C: clarity at 7.6 ft, 33 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 51 signal an intermediate trophic state. 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. A maximum depth of 31 ft puts Indian Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Indian Lake covers 139 acres alongside 2.6 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Among the 64 graded lakes in Wright County, Indian Lake sits at rank 26, above the county median.
Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Indian Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 9, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. The lake has a partial ice record — 9 observed ice-outs, centered near Apr 19. 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 2021-09-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.6 ft. Phosphorus level: 33 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.6 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 33 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 31 ft |
| Average Depth | 16.4 ft |
| Surface Area | 139.28 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 47% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Indian Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Indian Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Indian Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive Species
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.186 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (17 observations).
Estimated open water season: 224 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2007-04-01 (2007) | 2018-05-02 (2018) |
| Ice-In | 2014-11-15 (2014) | 2016-12-10 (2016) |
Most recent ice-out: 2023-04-21
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #26 of 64 lakes in Wright County
Nearby Lakes in Wright County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Indian Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
10 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-05-05 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 117.82 | 0.16 lb |
| Black Crappie | 20.31 | 0.25 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 19.67 | 0.57 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 8.68 | 0.11 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 8.03 | 0.83 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 4.99 | 1.08 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
Black Crappie
Largemouth Bass
Green Sunfish
From the 2025-05-05 survey
A reduced daily bag limit on sunfish (10 fish daily) was enacted on Indian Lake (Wright County) beginning March 1, 2021. To evaluate the effectiveness of this regulation and to monitor size structure in the Bluegill population, targeted Bluegill assessments were conducted on Indian Lake in 2017, 2021, and 2025.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Indian Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — IndianFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Indian (1940)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — IndianPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2021-09-30
Monitoring stations: 1