Mud Lake
Crow Wing County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
On the scoring rubric Mud Lake grades a D: clarity at 4.0 ft and phosphorus readings still being added keep it in the lower bracket for Crow Wing County.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. The lake bottoms out at 28 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. The lake is compact at 76 acres, with 1.6 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Mud Lake ranks 116 of 120 in Crow Wing County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Mud Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery is bass-led, with 11 documented species across the lake's records. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Track Mud Lake
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 4 ft. Trophic State Index: 57.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 57 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 28 ft |
| Surface Area | 76.22 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 55% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Mud Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Mud Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Mud Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.168 m/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #116 of 120 lakes in Crow Wing County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Mud Lake holds Grade D. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Crow Wing County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Mud Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
3 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1999-06-24 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 27.15 | 0.16 lb |
| Black Crappie | 11.83 | 0.17 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 9.97 | 0.61 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 6.29 | 0.7 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 3.46 | 0.65 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.32 | 1.79 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.
Bluegill
Black Crappie
Yellow Bass
Brown Bullhead
From the 1999-06-24 survey
Mud lake is an 84 acre lake located 5 miles southeast of Emily. Maximum depth is 28 feet with 42% less than 15 feet deep. Water clarity is limited due to bog stain. The shoreline is a mixed forest with numerous red pine present on sandy soil. Development is light with a total of 11 cottages and homes present. Bottom…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Mud Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — MudFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-09-15
Monitoring stations: 1