Peltier Lake
Anoka County, Minnesota552 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Peltier Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Hypereutrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- Eurasian watermilfoil
- 18 ft max depth
- Public access
Peltier Lake in Anoka County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 357.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 50.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 18 ft. Surface area: 551.92 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on August 11, 2025 caught 0.17 walleye per gill net at Peltier Lake. DNR survey details →
Peltier Lake is a 552-acre highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Anoka County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 18 feet. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 16 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 22 other monitored lakes in Anoka County, Peltier Lake ranks #20 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-10-30. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Peltier Lake covers about 550 acres in Anoka County. It has 2 public boat landings, so a lakefront rental is not the only way to get a boat on the water. The median ice-out date is April 7, which is when the open-water season begins. If you are planning to stay, you can search lake houses and cabins around Peltier Lake on Vrbo, or look for a hotel room near the lake on Booking.com or Expedia.
What Peltier Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch2 documented ramps
- Fishing16 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 7
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyRecreation use not supported
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Peltier Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Peltier Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Peltier Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Peltier Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Very murky, less than 2.5 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 357.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 50.6 µg/L. TSI 74.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 2.5ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 358µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 50.6µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 74 | Hypereutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Ask about Peltier Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Peltier Lake typically sits around 60°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 76°F) and coldest in Feb (about 36°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (36°F) to its warmest (76°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 563 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Peltier Lake water temperature breakdown →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Peltier Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was very high (1,499,685 cells/mL) on July 19, 2026.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on August 11, 2025 caught 0.17 walleye per gill net at Peltier Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Peltier Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
18 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-08-11 (Standard Survey).
18 surveys on file · most recent 2025-08-11 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 60.09 | 3–8 in 2025-08-11 | 0.19 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 38.79 | 8–15 in 2025-08-11 | 0.6 lb |
| Black Crappie | 17.11 | 4–11 in 2025-08-11 | 0.23 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 13.20 | 5–8 in 2025-08-11 | 0.11 lb |
| Common Carp | 6.84 | 29 in 2025-08-11 | 7.03 lb |
| White Sucker | 6.14 | 17–20 in 2025-08-11 | 2.25 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and 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.
Bluegill
Black Bullhead
Black Crappie
Yellow Perch
From the 2025-08-11 survey
Peltier Lake is a 551 acre, class 38 lake, located in eastern Anoka County within the Rice Creek watershed. A dam was constructed at the outlet to control the water level of Peltier and Centerville Lakes. Winter aeration via pump and baffle system has been operated as needed since 1988. Peltier Lake is part of a study…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Peltier Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — PeltierFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Peltier (1994)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — PeltierFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — PeltierPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
18 ft
Surface area
552 acres
Shoreline
8.2 mi
Littoral zone
75%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Recreation & Access
- Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park ReservePublic
- Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park ReservePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Peltier Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Peltier Lake in Anoka 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. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae, not lodging. Cabins and rentals around Peltier Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Peltier Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Follow Peltier Lake’s readings
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Peltier Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Improving6 years
Phosphorus
Improving-11 µg/L/yr3 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-9.85 µg/L/yr3 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 7
Earliest Mar 3, 2024 · Latest Apr 30, 2013
Typical ice-in
Nov 29
Earliest Nov 3, 1991 · Latest Dec 20, 2001
Most recent ice-out
Apr 1
2026
95 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Peltier Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Peltier Lake (completed 1930), built primarily for recreation on the Rice Creek-TR; concrete-type dam, 13 ft tall and 150 ft long.
- Surface area
- 301 ac
- Normal storage
- 3,255 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 4,650 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 110 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- City of St. Paul
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MN00499 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Peltier Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption, Recreation.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN02-0004-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Anoka County
Frequently asked questions about Peltier Lake
Where is Peltier Lake?
- Peltier Lake is a lake in Anoka County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Peltier Lake?
- Peltier Lake in Anoka County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 357.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 50.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 18 ft. Surface area: 551.92 acres.
Is Peltier Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Peltier Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Peltier Lake?
- Peltier Lake typically sits around 60°F at the surface in October, from 563 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Peltier Lake?
- Peltier Lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet. The lake covers 551.92 acres.
What fish are in Peltier Lake?
- Fish species found in Peltier Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, redhorse, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Peltier Lake is located in Anoka County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Peltier Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on August 11, 2025 caught 0.17 walleye per gill net at Peltier Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Peltier Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Peltier Lake thaw?
- Peltier Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 7. Ice typically forms around Nov 29. The open water season is approximately 236 days.
Does Peltier Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Peltier Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was very high (1,499,685 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Minnesota's current advisory before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Peltier Lake?
- Peltier Lake has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Peltier Lake?
- Peltier Lake has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Peltier Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Anoka County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Rum River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
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Where this data comes from
279 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA279 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate