Mud Lake

The LakeGrade rubric puts Mud Lake at a C: clarity at 16.8 ft, 129 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 55 signal an intermediate trophic state. High phosphorus is the leading drag on the score — likely from upland agriculture, lawn runoff, or in-lake sediment release.

At a TSI of 55, Mud Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. Mud Lake is small — 96 acres alongside partial shoreline records — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Within the 77 graded lakes of Polk County, Mud Lake sits at rank 65, near the bottom of the county list.

Mud Lake has at least one documented invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail), so boaters and anglers should observe clean-drain-dry steps when leaving the lake. The fishery is bass-led, with 4 documented species across the lake's records. A documented public access point at Mud Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.