Lizz Lake
Cook County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Lizz Lake at a C: clarity at 9.0 ft, phosphorus readings still being added, and a TSI of 45 signal an intermediate trophic state.
A TSI near 45 places Lizz Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. A maximum depth of 30 ft puts Lizz Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 23 acres, Lizz Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Lizz Lake sits at rank 77 of 128 in Cook County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
Lizz Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2020, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. 3 fish species are documented at Lizz Lake, a mixed warm-water community typical for Minnesota lakes of this size. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. 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 2020-07-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9 ft. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 30 ft |
| Average Depth | 8.3 ft |
| Surface Area | 23.2 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 91% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Lizz Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Lizz Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Lizz Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.274 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | 0 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #77 of 128 lakes in Cook County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lizz Lake holds Grade C. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Lizz Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
5 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2013-10-03 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | 11.54 | 1.48 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 6.22 | 0.07 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 5.58 | 0.14 lb |
| White Sucker | 3.71 | 1.15 lb |
| Northern Pike | 3.17 | 2.07 lb |
| Walleye | 1.00 | 4.25 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.
Brook Trout
Pumpkinseed
Yellow Perch
White Sucker
From the 2013-10-03 survey
In June 2013 a local guide reported seeing northern pike in Lizz Lake, and he reported there were no more brook trout present. This assessment was done to confirm that report. Lizz Lake was reclaimed for stream trout management in 1985, using a fish toxicant to remove its original fish community (walleye, northern…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Lizz Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — LizzFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Lizz Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN16-0215-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.62 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2020-07-15
Monitoring stations: 1