Kawishi Lake
Kawishi Lake in Lake County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 4.5 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 12 ft. Surface area: 371.65 acres.
Minnesota DNR surveys at Kawishi Lake average 3.73 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 10 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated September 9, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–26 inches. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 4.5 ft
- Max depth
- 12 ft
- Area
- 372 acres
- Public access
- Yes
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Why Kawishi Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Kawishi Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded water clarity, but not phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by MPCA and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Kawishi Lake is a 372-acre lake in Lake County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 12 feet. The lake supports 8 documented fish species including green sunfish, northern pike, and pumpkinseed. Public access is available.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-07-30. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Kawishi Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Murky, only visible to about 4.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Kawishi Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Kawishi Lake in Lake 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 Kawishi Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Minnesota DNR surveys at Kawishi Lake average 3.73 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 10 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated September 9, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–26 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Kawishi Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter. 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: 2024-09-09 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 39.17 | — |
| Yellow Perch | 16.23 | 0.25 lb |
| White Sucker | 9.80 | 2.1 lb |
| Spottail Shiner | 8.88 | — |
| Walleye | 3.73 | 1.26 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This 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.
Yellow Perch
White Sucker
Walleye
From the 2024-09-09 survey
Kawishiwi Lake is a 372-acre lake with dark colored water and a maximum depth of twelve feet that sits on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The access is located at the end of Forest Service 354 and consists of a gravel shoreline where multiple canoes can easily be launched. There is also a Forest…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Kawishi Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — KawishiwiFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Kawishiwi (1901)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — KawishiwiPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 12 ft |
| Surface Area | 372 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 11 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
Public campgrounds near Kawishi Lake
- Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground1.6 km
Nearest public campgrounds in the USGS National Map inventory, within about 3 miles. An empty list means USGS records no campground that close, which is not the same as camping being unavailable. Where the source gives an official reservation link, it is used; the cabin and hotel search does not cover campsites. More camping lakes
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Kawishi Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Kawishi 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 MN38-0080-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.5 km)
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
Frequently asked questions about Kawishi Lake
Where is Kawishi Lake?
- Kawishi Lake is a lake in Lake County, Minnesota. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — there is not enough recent sampling to assign a letter.
What is the water quality grade for Kawishi Lake?
- Kawishi Lake in Lake County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 4.5 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 12 ft. Surface area: 371.65 acres.
Is Kawishi Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Kawishi Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Kawishi Lake?
- Kawishi Lake has a maximum depth of 12 feet. The lake covers 371.65 acres.
What fish are in Kawishi Lake?
- Fish species found in Kawishi Lake include green sunfish, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch. Kawishi Lake is located in Lake County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Kawishi Lake?
- Minnesota DNR surveys at Kawishi Lake average 3.73 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 10 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated September 9, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–26 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Kawishi Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Are there campgrounds on Kawishi Lake?
- Kawishi Lake has 1 public campground from USGS The National Map within 5 km, including Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground. This is a location join, not a booking. Cabins and hotels are listed separately; campsite reservations use the official link when the source provides one.
Explore Kawishi Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
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Fish species and best lakes in Lake County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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State Parks Near Kawishi Lake
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Where this data comes from
1 measurement from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA1 sample · 2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated 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
Public campgrounds from USGS The National Map Structures, within about 3 miles