North Lemmon Lake is a 50-acre mesotrophic lake in Adams County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 31 feet (12-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Rainbow Trout, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Adams County, North Lemmon Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-10-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch North Lemmon Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Murky, only visible to about 5.7 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 4.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.7 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.8 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 31.4 ft |
| Average Depth | 11.7 ft |
| Surface Area | 50 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.5 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near North Lemmon Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing North Lemmon Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
North Lemmon Lake averages about 62°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 63°F) and coldest in Oct (about 47°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 12 field readings (2023–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full North Lemmon Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Adams County
Nearby Lakes in Adams County
Explore North Lemmon Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Adams County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in North Dakota
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
North Lemmon Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the North Lemmon Lake Dam (completed 1908), built primarily for fish and wildlife pond on the Cedar Creek-TR; earth-type dam, 37 ft tall and 700 ft long.
- Surface area
- 49.8 ac
- Normal storage
- 659 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 967 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 6 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- ND Game & Fish
All listed purposes: Fish and Wildlife Pond;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00283 · Operator website
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-10-20
Monitoring stations: 1