Lake Upsilon is a 110-acre mesotrophic lake in Rolette County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 25 feet (9-foot average). Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 13 other monitored lakes in Rolette County, Lake Upsilon ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-10-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Upsilon water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 11.2 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 2.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.2 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.1 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 25 ft |
| Average Depth | 9.3 ft |
| Surface Area | 110 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 10.9 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Lake Upsilon
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lake Upsilon
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Source: USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database. Hover a chip to see scientific name, ecological context, status, and first-observed year.
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.27 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Lake Upsilon averages about 65°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 70°F) and coldest in May (about 50°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 39 field readings (2016–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lake Upsilon water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 14 lakes in Rolette County
Nearby Lakes in Rolette County
Explore Lake Upsilon across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Rolette County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in North Dakota
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake Upsilon is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Wakopa Dam (completed 1966), built primarily for recreation on the Badger Creek; earth-type dam, 17 ft tall and 543 ft long.
- Surface area
- 110 ac
- Normal storage
- 330 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 560 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- ND Game & Fish
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00157 · Operator website
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
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: 2025-10-01
Monitoring stations: 1