Larson Lake is a 235-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Hettinger County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 11 feet (4-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Hettinger County, Larson Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-10-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 4.8 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 13.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.8 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 13.1 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 10.7 ft |
| Average Depth | 4 ft |
| Surface Area | 235 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 0.8 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Larson Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Larson Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Larson Lake averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 72°F) and coldest in Oct (about 48°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 20 field readings (2014–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Larson Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 3 lakes in Hettinger County
Nearby Lakes in Hettinger County
Explore Larson Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Hettinger 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
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More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Larson Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Regent Dam - Spring Creek Dam (completed 1934), built primarily for recreation on the Cannonball River - TR; earth-type dam, 21 ft tall and 395 ft long.
- Surface area
- 235 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,210 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,470 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 31.5 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Hettinger County WRB
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00118 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Larson Lake 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-10130204-002-L_00 · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Larson Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Regent City OfRegent · 1.8 mi away · NPDES ND0020532Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2023-10-10
Monitoring stations: 1