Laura Lake
Redwood County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
Laura Lake earns an F: phosphorus readings still being added and clarity at 2.0 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. A maximum depth of 21 ft puts Laura Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. The lake is compact at 22 acres, with 1.7 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Among the 2 graded lakes in Redwood County, Laura Lake sits at rank 1, above the county median.
Laura Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 13, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. A documented public access point at Laura Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 67.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 67 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 21 ft |
| Surface Area | 22.24 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.7 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 72% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Laura Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Laura Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Laura 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 | +0.015 m/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Redwood County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Laura Lake holds Grade F. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Redwood County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Laura Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
6 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2012-08-27 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 40.84 | 0.27 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 24.04 | 0.16 lb |
| Black Crappie | 17.01 | 0.15 lb |
| Bluegill | 8.44 | 0.23 lb |
| White Sucker | 8.13 | 0.98 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 4.08 | 0.62 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
Yellow Perch
Black Crappie
Bluegill
From the 2012-08-27 survey
INTRODUCTION Laura Lake is a 22-acre reservoir 1 mile southwest of Walnut Grove in Redwood County. The reservoir has a maximum depth of 21 feet, a shoreline length of 1.8 miles, and is a DNR class 33 lake based on physical and chemical characteristics. Laura Lake has shoreline access through a Redwood County Park.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Laura Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — LauraFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — LauraFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — LauraPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Laura Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Walnut Grove (completed 1979), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the Plum Creek-TR; earth-type dam, 57 ft tall and 1,275 ft long.
- Surface area
- 22 ac
- Normal storage
- 231 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,288 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 7 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- County of Redwood
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MN00728 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.25 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-09-22
Monitoring stations: 3