Lunar Lake
Lake County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Lunar Lake at a C: clarity at 8.0 ft, phosphorus readings still being added, and a TSI of 47 signal an intermediate trophic state.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. The lake's 60 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Minnesota — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. At 62 acres, Lunar Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Within the 142 graded lakes of Lake County, Lunar Lake sits at rank 110, near the bottom of the county list.
Lunar Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2023, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Lunar Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-07-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 60 ft |
| Surface Area | 62.31 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.2 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 40% |
| Public Access | No |
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.755 m/yr | 4 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #110 of 142 lakes in Lake County
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
3 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-07-31 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| White Sucker | 7.20 | 0.91 lb |
| Lake Trout | 2.80 | 3.94 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 2.40 | 0.15 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
From the 2025-07-31 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Lunar Lake on July 31st, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Lake Trout…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Lunar Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — LunarFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Lunar Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN38-0166-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.59 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2023-07-01
Monitoring stations: 1