Page Lake
Stevens County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Page Lake grades an F: every scored parameter (clarity and phosphorus) rates poorly, placing it among the most stressed lakes monitored in Minnesota. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. A maximum depth of 17 ft puts Page Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 375 acres, Page Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 3.3 miles of shoreline. Page Lake ranks 5 of 6 in Stevens County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Page Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 10 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Page 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.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2021-09-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 106 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 69.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 106 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 17 ft |
| Average Depth | 12 ft |
| Surface Area | 375.43 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.3 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 45% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Page Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Page Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Page Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 6 lakes in Stevens County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Page Lake holds Grade F. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ASignalness LakePope County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → A)
- DHassel LakeSwift County · mi · Higher grade (F → D)
Nearby Lakes in Stevens County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Page Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
9 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-07-17 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 45.70 | 0.29 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 39.06 | 0.73 lb |
| SUN | 22.83 | — |
| Brown Bullhead | 10.09 | 0.43 lb |
| Walleye | 7.00 | 1.81 lb |
| Black Crappie | 6.06 | 0.51 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.
Yellow Perch
Black Bullhead
Walleye
Black Crappie
From the 2023-07-17 survey
Page Lake is a 375-acre shallow and fertile prairie lake located one mile north of Hancock in southeast Stevens County. Maximum depth of the natural basin is 17.0 feet. Average depth is estimated at 12.0 feet. The lake has a small watershed area and thus surface water elevations are strongly influenced by volume of…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Page Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — PageFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — PageFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — PagePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Page Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN75-0019-00 · Official waterbody report
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: 2021-09-29
Monitoring stations: 1