North Hegman Lake

On the scoring rubric North Hegman Lake grades a D: clarity at 6.5 ft and phosphorus readings still being added keep it in the lower bracket for St. Louis County. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.

At a TSI of 50, North Hegman Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. North Hegman Lake reaches 30 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. The lake is compact at 70 acres, with 3.8 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Within the 215 graded lakes of St. Louis County, North Hegman Lake sits at rank 195, near the bottom of the county list.

No invasive species are currently listed at North Hegman Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 5 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. No formal public access is documented at North Hegman Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.