Lower Trelipe Lake
Lower Trelipe Lake in Cass County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 6.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 11.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 32 ft. Surface area: 618.01 acres.
- Clarity
- 6.9 ft
- Typical in August
- 69°F
- Max depth
- 32 ft
- Area
- 618 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- Yes
- Ice-out
- Apr 15
- Open water
- 227 days
Next lake in Cass County
Lower Trelipe Lake is a 618-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cass County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 32 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 103 other monitored lakes in Cass County, Lower Trelipe Lake ranks #91 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lower Trelipe Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyModerate
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.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 6.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 11.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 23 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 11.9 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Lower Trelipe Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lower Trelipe Lake in Cass 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 Lower Trelipe Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Lower Trelipe Lake typically sits around 69°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 69°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 72°F) and coldest in May (about 56°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 79 field readings (2021–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lower Trelipe Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 32 ft |
| Surface Area | 618 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 6.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 57% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Lower Trelipe LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lower Trelipe Lake
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-08-14 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 19.44 | — |
| Yellow Perch | 13.08 | 0.2 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 12.03 | — |
| Black Bullhead | 11.22 | 0.75 lb |
| Bluegill | 11.18 | 0.28 lb |
| JND | 3.71 | — |
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.
Yellow Perch
Black Bullhead
Bluegill
From the 2023-08-14 survey
Lower Trelipe Lake is a 618-acre lake with 6.63 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 32 feet located east of Longville, MN. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access is located on the east shore. The MNDNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical,…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Lower Trelipe Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Lower TrelipeFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Lower Trelipe (1501)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Lower TrelipeFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Lower TrelipePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.097 m/yr | 6 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +2.9 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +3.08 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (11 observations).
Estimated open water season: 227 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2016-04-01 (2016) | 2023-05-04 (2023) |
| Ice-In | 2007-11-27 (2007) | 2006-12-01 (2006) |
Most recent ice-out: 2023-05-04
EPA Impairment Status
Lower Trelipe 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 MN11-0129-00 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #91 of 104 lakes in Cass County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Lower Trelipe Lake holds Grade C. 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 Cass County
Frequently asked questions about Lower Trelipe Lake
What is the water quality grade for Lower Trelipe Lake?
- Lower Trelipe Lake in Cass County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 6.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 23 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 11.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 32 ft. Surface area: 618.01 acres.
Is Lower Trelipe Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Lower Trelipe Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 11.9 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Lower Trelipe Lake?
- Lower Trelipe Lake typically sits around 69°F at the surface in August, from 79 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2021–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Lower Trelipe Lake?
- Lower Trelipe Lake has a maximum depth of 32 feet. The lake covers 618.01 acres.
What fish are in Lower Trelipe Lake?
- Fish species found in Lower Trelipe Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Lower Trelipe Lake is located in Cass County, Minnesota.
When does Lower Trelipe Lake thaw?
- Lower Trelipe Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 15. Ice typically forms around Nov 28. The open water season is approximately 227 days.
Are there boat ramps on Lower Trelipe Lake?
- Lower Trelipe Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lower Trelipe Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Lower Trelipe Lake across LakeGrade
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Cass County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Brainerd Lakes area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Mississippi Headwaters, ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Pine River Watersheds (Brainerd Lakes), ranked by water quality
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Minnesota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Lower Trelipe Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Lower Trelipe Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
161 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
MNPCA161 samples · 2020–2025
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
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate