Meander Lake
Meander Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 13 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 39 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 25 ft. Surface area: 98.71 acres.
- Clarity
- 13 ft
- Typical in August
- 66°F
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Area
- 99 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in St. Louis County
Meander Lake is a 99-acre mesotrophic lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 25 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 4 documented fish species including bluegill, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. Public access is available. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in St. Louis County, Meander Lake ranks #58 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
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)
Good clarity, visible to about 13 ft. Phosphorus level: 39 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 39 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.2 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Meander Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Meander 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.
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Water Temperature
Meander Lake typically sits around 66°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 65°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 66°F) and coldest in May (about 45°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 86 field readings (2011–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Meander Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 25 ft |
| Surface Area | 99 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.1 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 41% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Meander Lake
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2014-08-04 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | 5.30 | 0.43 lb |
| White Sucker | 0.50 | 2.5 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 0.28 | 0.52 lb |
| Bluegill | 0.25 | 0.26 lb |
| Northern Pike | 0.17 | 15.41 lb |
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.
Smallmouth Bass
Yellow Perch
Bluegill
Northern Pike
From the 2014-08-04 survey
Meander Lake is a 139 acre lake located north of the Echo Trail and 20 miles northwest of Ely. There is one public access in the middle of the lake on the south shore. There is a parking lot at the top of the hill at the end of FR 679 with a paved path that goes down to the lake. A canoe or boat with portage wheels…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Meander Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — MeanderFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Meander (1363)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — MeanderPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -1.02 m/yr | 2 |
County Ranking
Ranked #58 of 68 lakes in St. Louis County
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
Frequently asked questions about Meander Lake
What is the water quality grade for Meander Lake?
- Meander Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 13 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 39 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 25 ft. Surface area: 98.71 acres.
Is Meander Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Meander Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Meander Lake?
- Meander Lake typically sits around 66°F at the surface in August, from 86 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2011–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Meander Lake?
- Meander Lake has a maximum depth of 25 feet. The lake covers 98.71 acres.
What fish are in Meander Lake?
- Fish species found in Meander Lake include bluegill, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch. Meander Lake is located in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
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Where this data comes from
21 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2021–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA20 samples · 2025 - Eastern Regional Office
USFSEASTERN1 sample · 2021
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder