Lower Pigeon Lake

Lower Pigeon Lake pulls a D on the LakeGrade rubric — phosphorus loading and limited clarity hold it below the Minnesota average. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.

At a TSI of 60, Lower Pigeon Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Within the 141 graded lakes of Itasca County, Lower Pigeon Lake sits at rank 127, near the bottom of the county list.

No invasive species are currently listed at Lower Pigeon Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Lower Pigeon Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. A documented public access point at Lower Pigeon Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is supported by multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies, giving the letter a reasonably stable foundation.