Little Carnelian Lake
Washington County, Minnesota137 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Little Carnelian Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Oligotrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- zebra mussel
- 68 ft max depth
- Limited data
Little Carnelian Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 20 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 68 ft. Surface area: 136.62 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 14, 1997 caught 10.50 northern pike per gill net at Little Carnelian Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–31 inches. DNR survey details →
Little Carnelian Lake is a 137-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Washington County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 68 feet. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 10 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 74 other monitored lakes in Washington County, Little Carnelian Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-17. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Little Carnelian Lake covers about 140 acres in Washington County. For a place on the water, look through cabin and lake-house rentals near Little Carnelian Lake on Vrbo. For a hotel or motel room, Booking.com and Expedia both search around the lake.
What Little Carnelian Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water20 ft of visibility
- Fishing10 species recorded
- Camping1 public campground nearby
- Deep water68 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLimited data
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. Little Carnelian Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Little Carnelian 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 Little Carnelian Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Little Carnelian Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Crystal clear, you can see 20 ft down. Phosphorus 9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 2.1 µg/L. TSI 36.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 20ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 9µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 2.1µg/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. | 36 | Oligotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water. No reading is a swimming clearance.
Ask about Little Carnelian Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Little Carnelian Lake typically sits around 51°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 55°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 56°F) and coldest in Apr (about 43°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (43°F) to its warmest (56°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 308 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Little Carnelian Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 14, 1997 caught 10.50 northern pike per gill net at Little Carnelian Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–31 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Little Carnelian Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
4 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1997-07-14 (Standard Survey).
4 surveys on file · most recent 1997-07-14 (Standard Survey)
29 years old| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 37.52 | 2–7 in 1997-07-14 | 0.11 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 7.40 | 2–9 in 1997-07-14 | 0.17 lb |
| Northern Pike | 4.30 | 14–31 in 1997-07-14 | 1.82 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 3.67 | 3–5 in 1997-07-14 | 0.04 lb |
| Yellow Bullhead | 2.89 | 5–14 in 1997-07-14 | 0.68 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 2.48 | 1–8 in 1997-07-14 | 0.18 lb |
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
Hybrid Sunfish
Northern Pike
Green Sunfish
From the 1997-07-14 survey
There is no public access on Little Carnelian Lake so fishing opportunity is limited. Therefore, no stocking is conducted by DNR. The lack of public access also limits angling to riparian owners and their guests.Bluegill are the most abundant species. The 1997 netting shows a dramatic increase in the bluegill…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Little Carnelian Lake. 1 report on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Little CarnelianFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
68 ft
Surface area
137 acres
Shoreline
2.6 mi
Littoral zone
29%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
No
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
37 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
850 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
Public campgrounds near Little Carnelian Lake
- Campground3.7 km
Nearest public campgrounds in the USGS National Map inventory, within about 3 miles. An empty list means USGS records no campground that close, which is not the same as camping being unavailable. Where the source gives an official reservation link, it is used; the cabin and hotel search does not cover campsites. More camping lakes
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Little Carnelian Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Little Carnelian Lake in Washington 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 Little Carnelian Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Follow Little Carnelian Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Little Carnelian Lake
- → Little Carnelian Lake fishing: DNR survey catch rates, species & stocking
- → Little Carnelian Lake fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Little Carnelian Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Little Carnelian 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: Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring (2021–2025).
Water clarity
Improving5 years
EPA Impairment Status
Little Carnelian 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 MN82-0014-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
Frequently asked questions about Little Carnelian Lake
Where is Little Carnelian Lake?
- Little Carnelian Lake is a lake in Washington County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Little Carnelian Lake?
- Little Carnelian Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 20 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 68 ft. Surface area: 136.62 acres.
Is Little Carnelian Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Little Carnelian 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 Little Carnelian Lake?
- Little Carnelian Lake typically sits around 51°F at the surface in October, from 308 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Little Carnelian Lake?
- Little Carnelian Lake has a maximum depth of 68 feet. The lake covers 136.62 acres.
What fish are in Little Carnelian Lake?
- Fish species found in Little Carnelian Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Little Carnelian Lake is located in Washington County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Little Carnelian Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 14, 1997 caught 10.50 northern pike per gill net at Little Carnelian Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–31 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Little Carnelian Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Can I fish at Little Carnelian Lake?
- Public access to Little Carnelian Lake is listed as no on the lake record, so confirm before you make the trip. 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.
Are there campgrounds on Little Carnelian Lake?
- Little Carnelian Lake has 1 public campground from USGS The National Map within 5 km, including Campground. This is a location join, not a booking. Cabins and hotels are listed separately; campsite reservations use the official link when the source provides one.
Explore Little Carnelian Lake across LakeQuality
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Washington County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the St. Croix Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near Little Carnelian Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Oligotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
60 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA60 samples · 2021–2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
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 size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Public campgrounds from USGS The National Map Structures, within about 3 miles