Low Lake
Low Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 8.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 13.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 40 ft. Surface area: 316.39 acres.
- Clarity
- 8.7 ft
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Area
- 316 acres
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in St. Louis County
Why Low Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when its monitoring record clears the evidence bar: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Low Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded water clarity, phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by MPCA and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Low Lake is a 316-acre lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 40 feet. The lake supports 11 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-07-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Low Lake
These readings exist but do not meet the evidence bar for an A–F grade — see why.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.7 ft. Phosphorus level: 13.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.7 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 13.5 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.8 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Low Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Low Lake in St. Louis 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 Low Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 40 ft |
| Surface Area | 316 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 8.2 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 67% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Low LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Low Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Low 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 MN69-0070-00 · Official waterbody report
Graded lakes near Low Lake
Low Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
Frequently asked questions about Low Lake
What is the water quality grade for Low Lake?
- Low Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 8.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 13.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 40 ft. Surface area: 316.39 acres.
Is Low Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Low Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.8 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Low Lake?
- Low Lake has a maximum depth of 40 feet. The lake covers 316.39 acres.
What fish are in Low Lake?
- Fish species found in Low Lake include black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch. Low Lake is located in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
Are there boat ramps on Low Lake?
- Low Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Low Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
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Where this data comes from
9 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA9 samples · 2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory