Knaus Lake
Stearns County, Minnesota216 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Knaus Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)
- 2 aquatic invasives
- 20 ft max depth
- Public access
Knaus Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 143 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 31 µg/L. Maximum depth: 20 ft. Surface area: 215.95 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 31, 2024 caught 2.50 walleye per gill net at Knaus Lake. DNR survey details →
Knaus Lake is a 216-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Stearns County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 20 feet (6-foot average). Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 17 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available. Compared to the 31 other monitored lakes in Stearns County, Knaus Lake ranks #28 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-23. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Knaus Lake covers about 220 acres in Stearns County. The median ice-out date is April 9, which is when the open-water season begins. If you are planning to stay, you can search lake houses and cabins around Knaus Lake on Vrbo, or look for a hotel room near the lake on Booking.com or Expedia.
What Knaus Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Fishing17 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 9
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyRecreation use not supported
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. Knaus Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Knaus 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 Knaus Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Knaus Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Very murky, less than 2.5 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 143 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 31 µg/L. TSI 68.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 2.5ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 143µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 31µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 68 | Eutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Ask about Knaus Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Knaus Lake typically sits around 52°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 76°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 78°F) and coldest in Oct (about 52°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (52°F) to its warmest (78°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 71 field readings (2011–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Knaus Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 31, 2024 caught 2.50 walleye per gill net at Knaus Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Knaus Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
8 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-07-31 (Targeted Survey).
8 surveys on file · most recent 2024-07-31 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | 33.50 | 9–11 in 2024-07-31 | 0.35 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 18.28 | 5–18 in 2024-07-31 | 0.62 lb |
| Channel Catfish | 14.06 | 17–28 in 2024-07-31 | 2.25 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 11.78 | 5–8 in 2024-07-31 | 0.19 lb |
| Bluegill | 10.25 | 3–7 in 2024-07-31 | 0.29 lb |
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.
Black Crappie
Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish
Yellow Perch
From the 2024-07-31 survey
The Sauk River Chain of Lakes (SRCL) is located in south-central Stearns County, near the city of Richmond. A dam built in the early 1900's on the Sauk River in Cold Spring created the SRCL a reservoir consisting of nine lakes and approximately 3,200 acres of water. The Sauk River drains a large portion of central…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Knaus Lake. 1 report on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — KnausFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
20 ft
Average depth
6.4 ft
Surface area
216 acres
Shoreline
4.5 mi
Littoral zone
94%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Knaus Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Knaus Lake in Stearns 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. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae, not lodging. Cabins and rentals around Knaus Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Knaus 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 →
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Knaus 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: Worsening
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Improving6 years
Phosphorus
Worsening+18.25 µg/L/yr3 years
Chlorophyll-a
Worsening+22.2 µg/L/yr3 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 9
Earliest Apr 3, 2004 · Latest Apr 21, 2008
Typical ice-in
Nov 24
Earliest Nov 1, 2007 · Latest Nov 25, 2004
Most recent ice-out
Apr 21
2008
9 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Knaus 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: Recreation.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN73-0086-00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Knaus Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Cold Spring WwtpCold Spring · 2.2 mi away · NPDES MN0023094MajorRecent violation
- Gold'N Plump Poultry LlcCold Spring · 2.7 mi away · NPDES MN0047261Recent violation
- Cold Spring Brewing CoCold Spring · 1.7 mi away · NPDES MN0055221
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Nearby Lakes in Stearns County
Frequently asked questions about Knaus Lake
Where is Knaus Lake?
- Knaus Lake is a lake in Stearns County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Knaus Lake?
- Knaus Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 143 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 31 µg/L. Maximum depth: 20 ft. Surface area: 215.95 acres.
Is Knaus Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Knaus Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Knaus Lake?
- Knaus Lake typically sits around 52°F at the surface in October, from 71 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2011–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Knaus Lake?
- Knaus Lake has a maximum depth of 20 feet and an average depth of 6.4 feet. The lake covers 215.95 acres.
What fish are in Knaus Lake?
- Fish species found in Knaus Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, greater redhorse, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Knaus Lake is located in Stearns County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Knaus Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 31, 2024 caught 2.50 walleye per gill net at Knaus Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Knaus Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Knaus Lake thaw?
- Knaus Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 9. Ice typically forms around Nov 24. The open water season is approximately 229 days.
Can I fish at Knaus Lake?
- Public access to Knaus Lake is listed as yes on the lake record. 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 Knaus Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Stearns County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Crow River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Sauk River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
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Where this data comes from
85 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA85 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H 2 ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination by spectrophotometer
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate