Loring Lake
Loring Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Water clarity: 2.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 77 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 31.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 16 ft. Surface area: 7.22 acres.
- Clarity
- 2.9 ft
- Typical in August
- 76°F
- Max depth
- 16 ft
- Area
- 7 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
- Ice-out
- Apr 3
- Open water
- 244 days
Grade F measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Loring Lake →
Next lake in Hennepin County
Loring Lake is a 7-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 16 feet. Water quality is graded F based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 80 other monitored lakes in Hennepin County, Loring Lake ranks #70 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-10-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyBacteria D
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Based on E. coli testing, Loring Lake frequently exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 20% of 5 samples across 5 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Minnesota’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water Quality Grade: F (Algae-prone)
Very murky, less than 2.9 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 77 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 31.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 64.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 77 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 31.9 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 64 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Loring Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Loring Lake in Hennepin 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 grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Loring Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Loring Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Loring Lake typically sits around 76°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 76°F) and coldest in Feb (about 36°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 584 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Loring Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 16 ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 0.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 89% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Recreation & Access
- Boom IslandPublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Loring Lake
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
3 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2016-08-01 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 84.64 | 0.1 lb |
| Black Crappie | 36.01 | 0.15 lb |
| Bluegill | 32.43 | 0.11 lb |
| Channel Catfish | 5.00 | 2.71 lb |
| GOF | 3.63 | 0.57 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 2.16 | 0.15 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
Black Crappie
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
From the 2016-08-01 survey
Loring Lake is a 7.6-acre pond located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The entire shoreline, which provides some shore angling opportunities and a fishing pier, is encompassed within Loring Park. The pond has been managed in the Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) program since 2001. The pond has a summer aeration system…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Loring Lake. 2 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — LoringFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — LoringFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.091 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -13.34 µg/L/yr | 6 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -2.15 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (60 observations).
Estimated open water season: 244 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2024-03-01 (2024) | 1996-04-19 (1996) |
| Ice-In | 1991-11-01 (1991) | 2024-01-16 (2024) |
Most recent ice-out: 2024-03-01
EPA Impairment Status
Loring 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 MN27-0655-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.07 km)
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
16 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Loring Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 3 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Minneapolis Municipal Storm WaterMinneapolis · 1.1 mi away · NPDES MN0061018Major
- Covanta Hennepin Energy Resource Co LpMinneapolis · 1.1 mi away · NPDES MN0057525Recent violation
- Hennepin County Energy CenterMinneapolis · 1.3 mi away · NPDES MN0057509Recent violation
- Us Bank StadiumMinneapolis · 1.3 mi away · NPDES MN0071188Recent violation
- University Of MinnesotaMinneapolis · 0.6 mi away · NPDES MN0070106
- Xcel Energy - Fifth Street SubstationMinneapolis · 1 mi away · NPDES MN0003301
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
County Ranking
Ranked #70 of 81 lakes in Hennepin County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Loring Lake holds Grade F. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Hennepin County
Frequently asked questions about Loring Lake
What is the water quality grade for Loring Lake?
- Loring Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Water clarity: 2.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 77 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 31.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 16 ft. Surface area: 7.22 acres.
Is Loring Lake safe to swim in?
- Based on E. coli testing, Loring Lake frequently exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 20% of 5 samples across 5 seasons. That works out to a bacteria swim-safety grade of D — a historical summary of past testing, not a current reading. Loring Lake has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Bacteria levels can spike quickly after heavy rain, so always check Minnesota's current beach and health-department advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Loring Lake?
- Loring Lake typically sits around 76°F at the surface in August, from 584 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Loring Lake?
- Loring Lake has a maximum depth of 16 feet. The lake covers 7.22 acres.
What fish are in Loring Lake?
- Fish species found in Loring Lake include black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish. Loring Lake is located in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
When does Loring Lake thaw?
- Loring Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 3. Ice typically forms around Dec 3. The open water season is approximately 244 days.
Are there boat ramps on Loring Lake?
- Loring Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Boom Island. Public access is listed as yes.
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Where this data comes from
494 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA494 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity, Nephelometric Method
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate