Where is Lake Independence?

Lake Independence is a lake in Jackson County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.

How deep is Lake Independence?

Lake Independence has a maximum depth of 11.5 feet. The lake covers 81 acres.

Are there boat ramps on Lake Independence?

Lake Independence has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Independence Lake. Public access is listed as yes.

Can I fish at Lake Independence?

Lake Independence has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. 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.

Lake Independence

Jackson County, Minnesota81 acresView map Directions

No nutrient or algae sampling on record from Minnesota PCA for this lake.

Max depth

11.5 ft

Bathymetric survey

Area

81 acres

Surface area

Shoreline

1.4 mi

Measured length

Impaired · Mercury
12 ft max depth
Public access

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Lake Independence in Jackson County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 11.5 ft. Surface area: 81 acres.

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Lake Independence is a 81-acre lake in Jackson County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 12 feet. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

What Lake Independence is good for

From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.

Boat launch1 documented ramp

Swimming conditions

No reading

Not rated

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Lake Independence is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether Lake Independence 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.

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Water quality measurements for Lake Independence

These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Lake Independence, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data. TSI undefined.

Ask about Lake Independence

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

Lake Details

Max depth

11.5 ft

Surface area

81 acres

Shoreline

1.4 mi

Public access

Yes

Listed by Minnesota PCA

The depth above comes from a bathymetric survey of this lake, not from a regional estimate.

Recreation & Access

Boat Landings

Yes

Public Access

Independence LakePublic

Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps

Stays via Stay22

Stays near Lake Independence

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Independence in Jackson 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.

Top-rated places to stay near Lake Independence

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Fishing Lake Independence

→ Lake Independence fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

Lake Independence is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).

Causes of impairment

Mercury

Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption.

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN32-0017-00 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in Jackson County

Laurs Lake3.1 miView →Fish Lake4.5 ft clear · Eutrophic5.7 miView →Boot Lake5.7 miView →Boot Lake5.9 miView →Clear Lake1.5 ft clear · Eutrophic—View →Lake Flaherty—View →

Frequently asked questions about Lake Independence

Where is Lake Independence?: Lake Independence is a lake in Jackson County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Lake Independence?: Lake Independence in Jackson County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 11.5 ft. Surface area: 81 acres.
Is Lake Independence safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Lake Independence is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
How deep is Lake Independence?: Lake Independence has a maximum depth of 11.5 feet. The lake covers 81 acres.
Are there boat ramps on Lake Independence?: Lake Independence has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Independence Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Lake Independence?: Lake Independence has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. 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.