N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake
Lake County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.
At a TSI of 51, N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. At only 13 ft deep, N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake is shallow — wind keeps the water column mixed and sediment resuspension drives phosphorus levels harder to manage. N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake covers 182 acres alongside 3.9 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake ranks 135 of 142 in Lake County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 7 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. 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 2024-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 6.2 ft. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.2 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 13 ft |
| Surface Area | 181.77 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.9 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.35 m/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #135 of 142 lakes in Lake County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BNorth Branch Kawishi LakeLake County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BFarm LakeLake County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BGarden LakeLake County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BWhite Iron LakeLake County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CFall LakeLake County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
5 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-07-14 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | 10.32 | 2.85 lb |
| Walleye | 8.01 | 3.66 lb |
| White Sucker | 4.78 | 2.97 lb |
| Bluegill | 2.00 | 0.38 lb |
| Rock Bass | 0.81 | 0.17 lb |
| Smallmouth Bass | 0.62 | 2.11 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.
Northern Pike
Walleye
White Sucker
Bluegill
From the 2023-07-14 survey
Pickerel is a 182-acre lake located nine miles east of Ely down the Glipi forest road off the Fernberg Trail. It is a shallow, relatively productive walleye lake similar to Everett, Perch, and Western in the Tower area. The access is carry-in and best suited to canoes and kayaks. A boat with portage wheels is…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for N. Br. Kawishiwi R. Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — PickerelFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
N. Br. Kawishiwi R. 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 MN38-0738-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.86 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: 2024-09-18
Monitoring stations: 2