Keller Lake
Ramsey County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Keller Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. 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.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. A maximum depth of just 8 ft means sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the water column whenever wind stirs the bottom — a classic shallow-lake dynamic. At 73 acres, Keller Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Within Ramsey County's 49 graded lakes, Keller Lake ranks 30 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.
Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Keller Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 9 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Keller Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 4.3 ft. Phosphorus level: 50 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.3 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 50 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 8 ft |
| Surface Area | 73.32 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Keller Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Keller Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Keller Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive Species
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.055 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.2 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #30 of 49 lakes in Ramsey County
Nearby Lakes in Ramsey County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Keller Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
7 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2007-07-16 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 101.19 | 0.14 lb |
| Black Crappie | 31.94 | 0.13 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 18.03 | 0.47 lb |
| GOS | 6.99 | 0.14 lb |
| White Crappie | 6.70 | 0.33 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 4.85 | 0.12 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
Black Bullhead
GOS
From the 2007-07-16 survey
Keller Lakes fish population is dominated by bluegills. They made up over 90% of the trap net catch. The average length was 5.7 inches. Over 40% of the bluegills measured were 6 inches or larger, but only 1% were larger than 7 inches. Black crappies were found in low abundance and small size. Hybrid (tiger)…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Keller Lake. 2 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Keller (Main Bay)Fisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Keller (Main Bay)Public 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
Most recent sample: 2024-09-17
Monitoring stations: 1