Le Homme Dieu Lake
Douglas County, Minnesota1,801 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Le Homme Dieu Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Mesotrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- 2 aquatic invasives
- 85 ft max depth
- Public access
Le Homme Dieu Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 13.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 85 ft. Surface area: 1800.95 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on August 12, 2024 caught 3.50 walleye per gill net at Le Homme Dieu Lake. DNR survey details →
Free interactive depth-contour map of Le Homme Dieu Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 80 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Minnesota DNR.
Le Homme Dieu Lake is a 1,801-acre mesotrophic lake in Douglas County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 85 feet (19-foot average). Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 20 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 36 other monitored lakes in Douglas County, Le Homme Dieu Lake ranks #12 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-21. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Le Homme Dieu Lake covers about 1,800 acres in Douglas County. It has 2 public boat landings, so a lakefront rental is not the only way to get a boat on the water. The median ice-out date is April 18, which is when the open-water season begins. For a place on the water, look through cabin and lake-house rentals near Le Homme Dieu Lake on Vrbo. For a hotel or motel room, Booking.com and Expedia both search around the lake.
What Le Homme Dieu Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water13.1 ft of visibility
- Boat launch2 documented ramps
- Fishing20 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 18
- Deep water85 ft surveyed max depth
- Big water1,801 acres
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLow algae
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Le Homme Dieu Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Le Homme Dieu Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Le Homme Dieu Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Le Homme Dieu Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Good clarity, visible to about 13.1 ft. Phosphorus 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 3.7 µg/L. TSI 44.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 13.1ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 21µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 3.7µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 44 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about Le Homme Dieu Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Le Homme Dieu Lake typically sits around 66°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 72°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 75°F) and coldest in May (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (51°F) to its warmest (75°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 76 field readings (2011–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Le Homme Dieu Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on August 12, 2024 caught 3.50 walleye per gill net at Le Homme Dieu Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Le Homme Dieu Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
16 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-08-12 (Standard Survey).
16 surveys on file · most recent 2024-08-12 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 33.24 | 3–9 in 2024-08-12 | 0.15 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 23.05 | 4–18 in 2024-08-12 | 0.73 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 22.41 |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and 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.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
From the 2024-08-12 survey
Lake Le Homme Dieu is a 1,800-acre basin located on the northeast city limits of Alexandria and is part of the Alexandria Chain of Lakes. Navigable connections exist to Lake Carlos and Lake Geneva. The shoreline and most of the watershed are well developed. Water quality is good. Water transparency was 10 feet during…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Le Homme Dieu Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Le Homme DieuFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Le Homme Dieu (1075)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Le Homme DieuFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Le Homme DieuPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
85 ft
Average depth
19 ft
Surface area
1,801 acres
Shoreline
10.1 mi
Littoral zone
49%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Recreation & Access
- Lake Geneva (North)Public
- Rotary Beach (Northwest)Public
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Le Homme Dieu Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Le Homme Dieu Lake in Douglas 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 Le Homme Dieu Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Le Homme Dieu Lake
- → Le Homme Dieu Lake fishing: DNR survey catch rates, species & stocking
- → Le Homme Dieu Lake fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Le Homme Dieu Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Le Homme Dieu Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: Worsening
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Worsening6 years
Phosphorus
Worsening+0.99 µg/L/yr6 years
Chlorophyll-a
Worsening+0.15 µg/L/yr6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 18
Earliest Mar 12, 2024 · Latest May 13, 2013
Typical ice-in
Nov 23
Earliest Nov 5, 2019 · Latest Dec 10, 2016
Most recent ice-out
Apr 11
2025
94 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Le Homme Dieu Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN21-0056-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Douglas County
Frequently asked questions about Le Homme Dieu Lake
Where is Le Homme Dieu Lake?
- Le Homme Dieu Lake is a lake in Douglas County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Le Homme Dieu Lake?
- Le Homme Dieu Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 13.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 85 ft. Surface area: 1800.95 acres.
Is Le Homme Dieu Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Le Homme Dieu Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Le Homme Dieu Lake?
- Le Homme Dieu Lake typically sits around 66°F at the surface in September, from 76 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2011–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Le Homme Dieu Lake?
- Le Homme Dieu Lake has a maximum depth of 85 feet and an average depth of 19 feet. The lake covers 1800.95 acres.
What fish are in Le Homme Dieu Lake?
- Fish species found in Le Homme Dieu Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, greater redhorse, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Le Homme Dieu Lake is located in Douglas County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Le Homme Dieu Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on August 12, 2024 caught 3.50 walleye per gill net at Le Homme Dieu Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Le Homme Dieu Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Le Homme Dieu Lake thaw?
- Le Homme Dieu Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 18. Ice typically forms around Nov 23. The open water season is approximately 219 days.
Are there boat ramps on Le Homme Dieu Lake?
- Le Homme Dieu Lake has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lake Geneva (North), Rotary Beach (Northwest). Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Le Homme Dieu Lake?
- Le Homme Dieu Lake has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Le Homme Dieu Lake across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
141 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA141 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- 10200 H 2 ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination by spectrophotometer
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate