Lower Pauness Lake

Lower Pauness Lake pulls a D on the LakeGrade rubric — phosphorus loading and limited clarity hold it below the Minnesota average.

At a TSI of 52, Lower Pauness Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. A maximum depth of 36 ft puts Lower Pauness Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Lower Pauness Lake covers 171 acres alongside 5.0 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Lower Pauness Lake ranks 173 of 187 in St. Louis County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

Lower Pauness Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 7 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. No formal public access is documented at Lower Pauness Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.