Lake Monongalia
Lake Monongalia in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 3.3 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 14 ft. Surface area: 2290.4 acres.
Minnesota DNR surveys at Lake Monongalia average 5.73 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 8, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–30 inches. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 3.3 ft
- Max depth
- 14 ft
- Area
- 2,290 acres
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Why Lake Monongalia has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Lake Monongalia, the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Sampling here has recorded water clarity, but not phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by MPCA and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Lake Monongalia is a 2,290-acre lake in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 14 feet (4-foot average). Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 13 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-09-14. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Lake Monongalia
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Very murky, less than 3.3 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.3 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Lake Monongalia
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Monongalia in Kandiyohi 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 Monongalia
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Minnesota DNR surveys at Lake Monongalia average 5.73 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 8, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–30 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Lake Monongalia — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
7 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-06-08 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 25.60 | 0.19 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 13.99 | 0.24 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 11.44 | 0.28 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 8.00 | 0.17 lb |
| Bluegill | 7.69 | 0.21 lb |
| Northern Pike | 5.73 | 1.59 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This 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 Bullhead
Yellow Bass
Brown Bullhead
Pumpkinseed
From the 2023-06-08 survey
A targeted trapnet survey of Middle Fork Crow Reservoir "MFCR", also known as Monongalia or Mud Lake, was conducted in early June of 2023. The purpose of the survey was to determine the extent of a partial winterkill in February/March of 2023. Four lake survey trapnets were set at standard stations. At least one…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Lake Monongalia. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Lake MonongaliaFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Lake Monongalia (0848)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Lake MonongaliaFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Lake MonongaliaPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 14 ft |
| Average Depth | 3.8 ft |
| Surface Area | 2,290 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 37.8 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 99% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Recreation & Access
- Mud LakePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lake Monongalia
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.45 m/yr | 3 |
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Monongalia is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN34-0158-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.28 km)
Graded lakes near Lake Monongalia
Lake Monongalia has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Kandiyohi County
Frequently asked questions about Lake Monongalia
Where is Lake Monongalia?
- Lake Monongalia is a lake in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — there is not enough recent sampling to assign a letter.
What is the water quality grade for Lake Monongalia?
- Lake Monongalia in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 3.3 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 14 ft. Surface area: 2290.4 acres.
Is Lake Monongalia safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Lake Monongalia is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Lake Monongalia?
- Lake Monongalia has a maximum depth of 14 feet and an average depth of 3.8 feet. The lake covers 2290.4 acres.
What fish are in Lake Monongalia?
- Fish species found in Lake Monongalia include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), common carp, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Lake Monongalia is located in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Lake Monongalia?
- Minnesota DNR surveys at Lake Monongalia average 5.73 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 8, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–30 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Lake Monongalia — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Are there boat ramps on Lake Monongalia?
- Lake Monongalia has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Mud Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Lake Monongalia across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
4 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA4 samples · 2023
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory