North Branch Kawishi Lake
North Branch Kawishi Lake in Lake County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 8.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 14 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 13 ft. Surface area: 181.77 acres.
Minnesota DNR surveys at North Branch Kawishi Lake average 10.32 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 14, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 21–30 inches. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 8.2 ft
- Max depth
- 13 ft
- Area
- 182 acres
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- No
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Why North Branch Kawishi Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For North Branch Kawishi Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded water clarity, phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by MPCA and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
North Branch Kawishi Lake is a 182-acre lake in Lake County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 13 feet. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 7 documented fish species including bluegill, northern pike, and rock bass. No public access — the lake is private or restricted.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2022-09-28. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for North Branch Kawishi Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 14 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.2 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 14 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.7 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near North Branch Kawishi Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near North Branch Kawishi Lake in Lake 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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Minnesota DNR surveys at North Branch Kawishi Lake average 10.32 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 14, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 21–30 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on North Branch Kawishi Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
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 catch rate (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 means more abundant in standardized sampling. This 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.
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 North Branch Kawishi Lake. 1 report on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — PickerelFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 13 ft |
| Surface Area | 182 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.9 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing North Branch Kawishi Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.155 m/yr | 4 |
EPA Impairment Status
North Branch Kawishi 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 (0.65 km)
Graded lakes near North Branch Kawishi Lake
North Branch Kawishi Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
Frequently asked questions about North Branch Kawishi Lake
Where is North Branch Kawishi Lake?
- North Branch Kawishi Lake is a lake in Lake County, Minnesota. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — there is not enough recent sampling to assign a letter.
What is the water quality grade for North Branch Kawishi Lake?
- North Branch Kawishi Lake in Lake County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 8.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 14 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 13 ft. Surface area: 181.77 acres.
Is North Branch Kawishi Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. North Branch Kawishi Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is North Branch Kawishi Lake?
- North Branch Kawishi Lake has a maximum depth of 13 feet. The lake covers 181.77 acres.
What fish are in North Branch Kawishi Lake?
- Fish species found in North Branch Kawishi Lake include bluegill, northern pike, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch. North Branch Kawishi Lake is located in Lake County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at North Branch Kawishi Lake?
- Minnesota DNR surveys at North Branch Kawishi Lake average 10.32 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 14, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 21–30 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on North Branch Kawishi Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
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Where this data comes from
5 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA5 samples · 2022
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
- 2120 B ~ Color in Water by Visual Comparison
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder