Knieff Lake
Crow Wing County, MinnesotaLimited DataOligotrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric, Knieff Lake pulls an A: clarity at 19.0 ft and phosphorus readings still being added put it in the top bracket for Minnesota.
A TSI value of 35 puts Knieff Lake in the oligotrophic range, where biological productivity stays low and the water column remains clear. A maximum depth of 42 ft puts Knieff Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Knieff Lake is small — 44 acres alongside 1.0 miles of shoreline — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Among the 120 graded lakes in Crow Wing County, Knieff Lake sits at rank 38, above the county median.
No invasive species are currently listed at Knieff Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Knieff Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Knieff Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. 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 2024-09-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 19 ft down. Trophic State Index: 35.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 19 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 35 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 42 ft |
| Surface Area | 44.33 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 42% |
| Public Access | No |
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | 0 m/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (6 observations).
Estimated open water season: 213 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2023-05-02 (2023) | 2022-05-04 (2022) |
| Ice-In | 2022-11-25 (2022) | 2021-12-07 (2021) |
Most recent ice-out: 2023-05-02
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #38 of 120 lakes in Crow Wing County
Nearby Lakes in Crow Wing County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Knieff Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Minnesota
Oligotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1973-09-04 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 48.00 | 0.07 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 12.50 | 0.61 lb |
| Black Crappie | 2.17 | 0.2 lb |
| Northern Pike | 1.42 | 2.79 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 1.00 | 0.2 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
From the 1973-09-04 survey
Bass-Panfish.
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Knieff Lake. 2 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — KnieffFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Knieff (0428)Aquatic Plant Report · 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: 2024-09-25
Monitoring stations: 1