Lake Ashtabula is a 5,178-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Barnes County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 43 feet (13-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 10 documented fish species including Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Barnes County, Lake Ashtabula ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-05-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Lake Ashtabula Water Quality Report Card (2026)
A printable one-page report card for Lake Ashtabula: grade, clarity, phosphorus, algae, multi-year trend, depth, and fish — with sources.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Murky, only visible to about 3.4 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 3.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.4 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.3 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 42.8 ft |
| Average Depth | 13 ft |
| Surface Area | 5,178 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 74 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Lake Ashtabula
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lake Ashtabula
Recreation & Access
Current Conditions
Latest reading Jul 6, 2026, 5:00 AM from USGS gauge 05057500. See live data ↗ — readings update every 15–60 minutes; this page refreshes on each build.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 4 lakes in Barnes County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Ashtabula holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Barnes County
Explore Lake Ashtabula across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Barnes County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
Compare Lake Ashtabula With Nearby Lakes
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Ashtabula is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit ND-09020203-001-L_00 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2025-05-28
Monitoring stations: 2