Krans Lake
Isanti County, MinnesotaLimited DataHypereutrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric Krans Lake fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 70 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier.
A TSI above 70 puts Krans Lake in hypereutrophic territory: visible blooms are common, and clarity rarely climbs even in early summer. A maximum depth of 31 ft puts Krans Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 35 acres, Krans Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Within the 19 graded lakes of Isanti County, Krans Lake sits at rank 17, near the bottom of the county list.
No invasive species are currently listed at Krans Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. 9 fish species are on record, with panfish making up the recreational core. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. 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 2024-10-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 1.6 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 70.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.6 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 70 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 31 ft |
| Surface Area | 34.73 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 89% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Krans Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Krans Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Krans Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.09 m/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #17 of 19 lakes in Isanti County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Krans Lake holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AStauffer LakeChisago County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → A)
- BLittle Horseshoe LakeChisago County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- CHorseshoe LakeChisago County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CGoose LakeChisago County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CSkogman LakeIsanti County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
Nearby Lakes in Isanti County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Krans Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
4 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2008-06-17 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 48.79 | 0.1 lb |
| Bluegill | 25.52 | 0.18 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 22.87 | 0.19 lb |
| Black Crappie | 3.94 | 0.15 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 3.23 | 0.14 lb |
| Northern Pike | 3.16 | 2.58 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.
Black Bullhead
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Black Crappie
From the 2008-06-17 survey
Krans Lake, located in Chisago and Isanti Counties, has a surface area of 42 acres and has been assigned to lake class 30. The lake is managed primarily for northern pike with bluegill sunfish, black crappie and largemouth bass as the secondary species. Low winter oxygen levels and winterkill cause great variaton in…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Krans Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — KransFisheries Lake Survey · 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: 2024-10-18
Monitoring stations: 1