Patterson Lake is a 946-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Stark County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 25 feet (7-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 9 documented fish species including Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Bluegill. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Stark County, Patterson Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-07-14. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
No clarity data. Chlorophyll-a: 7.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 7.8 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 24.8 ft |
| Average Depth | 7.1 ft |
| Surface Area | 946 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 26 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Patterson Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Patterson Lake
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 3 lakes in Stark County
Nearby Lakes in Stark County
Explore Patterson Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Stark County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
Compare Patterson Lake With Nearby Lakes
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Patterson Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit ND-10130202-002-L_00 · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Patterson Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Richardton City OfRichardton · 3.2 mi away · NPDES ND0020109Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2023-07-14
Monitoring stations: 3