Latimer Lake
Todd County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Latimer Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. The lake bottoms out at 31 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. The lake's 202 acres and 2.6 miles of shoreline put it in the mid-range bucket — large enough for varied use, small enough that watershed inputs reach the whole basin. Latimer Lake ranks 15 of 17 in Todd County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Latimer Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 11 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Latimer Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Ice-out has been recorded 11 times at Latimer Lake, with a median around Apr 15. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 5 ft. Phosphorus level: 58.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 58.5 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 30.5 ft |
| Average Depth | 17.5 ft |
| Surface Area | 201.84 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 38% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Latimer Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Latimer Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Latimer Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.058 m/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (18 observations).
Estimated open water season: 226 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2016-03-21 (2016) | 2018-05-02 (2018) |
| Ice-In | 2010-11-25 (2010) | 2004-12-14 (2004) |
Most recent ice-out: 2018-05-02
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #15 of 17 lakes in Todd County
Nearby Lakes in Todd County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Latimer Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2020-07-08 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 67.34 | 0.41 lb |
| Bluegill | 36.96 | 0.16 lb |
| Black Crappie | 19.19 | 0.2 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 13.44 | 0.27 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 11.79 | 0.17 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 5.75 | 1.49 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
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
Bluegill
Black Crappie
Green Sunfish
From the 2020-07-08 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Latimer Lake was conducted on July 8-9, 2020 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Latimer Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — LatimerFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — LatimerFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — LatimerPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2024-10-15
Monitoring stations: 2