Medicine Lake
Hennepin County, Minnesota924 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Medicine Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Impaired biota (cause unknown)
- 2 aquatic invasives
- 49 ft max depth
- Public access
Medicine Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 73.9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 9.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 49 ft. Surface area: 924.36 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 5, 2023 caught 2.33 walleye per gill net at Medicine Lake. DNR survey details →
Free interactive depth-contour map of Medicine Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 40 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Minnesota DNR.
Medicine Lake is a 924-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 49 feet. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 15 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 80 other monitored lakes in Hennepin County, Medicine Lake ranks #27 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-26. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Medicine Lake covers about 920 acres in Hennepin County. It has one public boat landing. The median ice-out date is April 10, which is when the open-water season begins. For a place on the water, look through cabin and lake-house rentals near Medicine Lake on Vrbo. For a hotel or motel room, Booking.com and Expedia both search around the lake.
What Medicine Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing15 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 10
- Deep water49 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyRecreation use not supported
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Medicine Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for impaired biota (cause unknown), mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Medicine Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Medicine Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Medicine Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus 73.9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 9.6 µg/L. TSI 55.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 7.9ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 73.9µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 9.6µg/L | Fair GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 55 | Eutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Ask about Medicine Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Medicine Lake typically sits around 57°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 64°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 66°F) and coldest in Jan (about 36°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (36°F) to its warmest (66°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 2,653 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Medicine Lake water temperature breakdown →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Medicine Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was high (205,116 cells/mL) on July 18, 2026.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 5, 2023 caught 2.33 walleye per gill net at Medicine Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Medicine Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
15 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-07-05 (Standard Survey).
15 surveys on file · most recent 2023-07-05 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 24.96 | 2–9 in 2023-07-05 | 0.18 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 9.80 | ||
| Black Crappie | 8.40 | 4–10 in 2023-07-05 | 0.17 lb |
| Yellow Bullhead | 6.30 | 6–14 in 2023-07-05 | 0.82 lb |
| Northern Pike | 5.92 | 13–36 in 2023-07-05 | 2.53 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and is not a weekly bite report.
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.
Bluegill
Black Crappie
Yellow Bullhead
Northern Pike
From the 2023-07-05 survey
Medicine Lake is a 924-acre lake surrounded by the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake. Clifton E. French Regional Park (a Three Rivers Parks District property) borders the northwest portion of the lake and provides the only public boat launch during the open-water season; a fee is charged for parking boat…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Medicine Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — MedicineFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — MedicineFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — MedicinePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
49 ft
Surface area
924 acres
Shoreline
8.8 mi
Littoral zone
43%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
19 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
873 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- French Regional ParkPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Medicine Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Medicine Lake in Hennepin 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. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae, not lodging. Cabins and rentals around Medicine Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Medicine Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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 →
Follow Medicine Lake’s readings
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Medicine Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: Worsening
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Worsening6 years
Phosphorus
Worsening+3.68 µg/L/yr4 years
Chlorophyll-a
Worsening+1.64 µg/L/yr4 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 10
Earliest Mar 7, 2024 · Latest May 2, 2018
Typical ice-in
Nov 30
Earliest Nov 7, 1991 · Latest Dec 21, 1998
Most recent ice-out
Mar 23
2025
257 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Medicine Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life, Fish consumption, Recreation.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN27-0104-00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Medicine Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Honeywell-Plymouth OperationsPlymouth · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MN0063266
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Nearby Lakes in Hennepin County
Frequently asked questions about Medicine Lake
Where is Medicine Lake?
- Medicine Lake is a lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Medicine Lake?
- Medicine Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 73.9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 9.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 49 ft. Surface area: 924.36 acres.
Is Medicine Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Medicine Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for impaired biota (cause unknown), mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Medicine Lake?
- Medicine Lake typically sits around 57°F at the surface in October, from 2,653 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Medicine Lake?
- Medicine Lake has a maximum depth of 49 feet. The lake covers 924.36 acres.
What fish are in Medicine Lake?
- Fish species found in Medicine Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Medicine Lake is located in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Medicine Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on July 5, 2023 caught 2.33 walleye per gill net at Medicine Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Medicine Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Medicine Lake thaw?
- Medicine Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 10. Ice typically forms around Nov 30. The open water season is approximately 234 days.
Does Medicine Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Medicine Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was high (205,116 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Minnesota's current advisory before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Medicine Lake?
- Medicine Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include French Regional Park. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Medicine Lake?
- Medicine Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Medicine Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Hennepin County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Crow River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
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Compare Medicine Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
553 measurements from 4 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA553 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- 4500 N C ~ Persufate Method for Total Nitrogen
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
Monitoring station identifiers (4)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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