Little Waverly Lake
Wright County, Minnesota338 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Little Waverly Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Hypereutrophic
- Impaired · Impaired biota (cause unknown)
- 2 aquatic invasives
- 12 ft max depth
- Public access
Little Waverly Lake in Wright County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 1.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 604 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 65 µg/L. Maximum depth: 12 ft. Surface area: 338.01 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on September 3, 2024 caught 0.11 walleye per trap net at Little Waverly Lake. DNR survey details →
Little Waverly Lake is a 338-acre highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Wright County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 12 feet (7-foot average). Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, and black crappie. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 50 other monitored lakes in Wright County, Little Waverly Lake ranks #49 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-17. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Little Waverly Lake covers about 340 acres in Wright County. It has one public boat landing. The median ice-out date is March 30, which is when the open-water season begins. For a place on the water, look through cabin and lake-house rentals near Little Waverly Lake on Vrbo. For a hotel or motel room, Booking.com and Expedia both search around the lake.
What Little Waverly Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing16 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Mar 30
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyRecreation use not supported
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 Waverly Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for impaired biota (cause unknown), mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Little Waverly 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 Waverly Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Little Waverly Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Very murky, less than 1.5 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 604 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 65 µg/L. TSI 80.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 1.5ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 604µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 65µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 80 | Hypereutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Ask about Little Waverly Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Little Waverly Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 76°F) and coldest in Oct (about 63°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (63°F) to its warmest (76°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 150 field readings (2017–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Little Waverly Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on September 3, 2024 caught 0.11 walleye per trap net at Little Waverly Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Little Waverly 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
8 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-09-03 (Targeted Survey).
8 surveys on file · most recent 2024-09-03 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 27.56 | 8–19 in 2024-09-03 | 1.81 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 25.91 | 1–5 in 2004-07-12 | 0.1 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 23.85 | 8–14 in 2024-09-03 | 0.63 lb |
| Golden Shiner | 21.74 | 5–6 in 2024-07-15 | 0.09 lb |
| Black Crappie | 16.92 | 4–11 in 2024-09-03 | 0.27 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 15.34 | 5 in 2024-09-03 | 0.12 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.
Largemouth Bass
Green Sunfish
Black Bullhead
Golden Shiner
From the 2024-09-03 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Little Waverly Lake, was conducted on September 3 - September 9, 2024, 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,…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Little Waverly Lake. 2 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Little WaverlyFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Little WaverlyPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
12 ft
Average depth
6.7 ft
Surface area
338 acres
Shoreline
3.8 mi
Littoral zone
100%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
9 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
948 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Little Waverly LakePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Little Waverly Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Little Waverly Lake in Wright 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. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae, not lodging. Cabins and rentals around Little Waverly Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Little Waverly 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 →
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Little Waverly Lake
- → Little Waverly Lake fishing: DNR survey catch rates, species & stocking
- → Little Waverly Lake fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Little Waverly Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Little Waverly 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+24.04 µg/L/yr6 years
Chlorophyll-a
Worsening+2.25 µg/L/yr6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Mar 30
Earliest Mar 13, 2016 · Latest May 1, 2018
Typical ice-in
Nov 28
Earliest Nov 10, 2014 · Latest Dec 7, 2016
Most recent ice-out
May 1
2018
17 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Little Waverly Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Little Waverly Lake (completed 1938), built primarily for recreation on the Twelvemile Creek; gravity-type dam, 7 ft tall and 81 ft long.
- Surface area
- 330 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,946 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 2,780 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 59.9 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MNDNR
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MN00403 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Little Waverly Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life, Fish consumption, Recreation.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN86-0106-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Wright County
Frequently asked questions about Little Waverly Lake
Where is Little Waverly Lake?
- Little Waverly Lake is a lake in Wright 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 Waverly Lake?
- Little Waverly Lake in Wright County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 1.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 604 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 65 µg/L. Maximum depth: 12 ft. Surface area: 338.01 acres.
Is Little Waverly Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Little Waverly Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for impaired biota (cause unknown), mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Little Waverly Lake?
- Little Waverly Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in October, from 150 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2017–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Little Waverly Lake?
- Little Waverly Lake has a maximum depth of 12 feet and an average depth of 6.7 feet. The lake covers 338.01 acres.
What fish are in Little Waverly Lake?
- Fish species found in Little Waverly Lake include bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Little Waverly Lake is located in Wright County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Little Waverly Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on September 3, 2024 caught 0.11 walleye per trap net at Little Waverly Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Little Waverly 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 Little Waverly Lake thaw?
- Little Waverly Lake typically has ice-out around Mar 30. Ice typically forms around Nov 28. The open water season is approximately 243 days.
Are there boat ramps on Little Waverly Lake?
- Little Waverly Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Little Waverly Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Little Waverly Lake?
- Little Waverly Lake has 1 documented boat landing 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 Little Waverly Lake across LakeQuality
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Fish species and best lakes in Wright County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
133 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2022–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA133 samples · 2022–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate