Perch Lake
St. Louis County, Minnesota344 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Perch Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Mesotrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- 30 ft max depth
- Public access
- Limited data
Perch Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 13.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 11 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 30 ft. Surface area: 343.61 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 27, 2016 caught 2.44 walleye per gill net at Perch Lake. DNR survey details →
Perch Lake is a 344-acre mesotrophic lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 30 feet. The lake supports 10 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in St. Louis County, Perch Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-11. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
What Perch Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water13.5 ft of visibility
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing10 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around May 4
- Deep water30 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLimited data
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. Perch Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Perch 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 Perch Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Perch Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Good clarity, visible to about 13.5 ft. Phosphorus 11 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 5.1 µg/L. TSI 42.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 13.5ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 11µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 5.1µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 42 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about Perch Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Perch Lake typically sits around 59°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 70°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 73°F) and coldest in Apr (about 45°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (45°F) to its warmest (73°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 107 field readings (2018–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Perch Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 27, 2016 caught 2.44 walleye per gill net at Perch Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Perch Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
5 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2016-06-27 (Standard Survey).
5 surveys on file · most recent 2016-06-27 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 13.49 | 5–16 in 2016-06-27 | 1.36 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 7.22 | 4–6 in 2016-06-27 | 0.11 lb |
| White Sucker | 5.61 | 10–22 in 2016-06-27 | 2.15 lb |
| Northern Pike | 4.04 | 14–33 in 2016-06-27 | 2.38 lb |
| Smallmouth Bass | 3.11 | 8–19 in 2016-06-27 | 1.8 lb |
| Black Crappie | 2.52 | 4–10 in 2016-06-27 | 0.52 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.
Largemouth Bass
Yellow Perch
White Sucker
Northern Pike
From the 2016-06-27 survey
Perch Lake is located about 13 miles northwest of Chisholm, MN near and the Sturgeon chain of lakes. The 339 acre lake has 170 littoral acres, a maximum depth of 30 feet, with no inlets or outlets. The lake is heavily developed along the 3.3 mile shoreline. There is a DNR administered concrete boat access on the west…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Perch Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — PerchFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Perch (1868)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — PerchFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — PerchPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
30 ft
Surface area
344 acres
Shoreline
3.3 mi
Littoral zone
49%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
2 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
1,368 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Perch LakePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Perch Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Perch Lake in St. Louis 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Perch 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 Perch Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Perch Lake
Water Quality Trend: Stable
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Stable6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
May 4
Earliest Apr 6, 2021 · Latest May 7, 2022
Typical ice-in
Nov 20
Earliest Nov 11, 2018 · Latest Nov 29, 2024
Most recent ice-out
Apr 24
2025
16 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Perch Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN69-0932-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
Frequently asked questions about Perch Lake
Where is Perch Lake?
- Perch Lake is a lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Perch Lake?
- Perch Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 13.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 11 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 30 ft. Surface area: 343.61 acres.
Is Perch Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Perch Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Perch Lake?
- Perch Lake typically sits around 59°F at the surface in October, from 107 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2018–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Perch Lake?
- Perch Lake has a maximum depth of 30 feet. The lake covers 343.61 acres.
What fish are in Perch Lake?
- Fish species found in Perch Lake include black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch. Perch Lake is located in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Perch Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 27, 2016 caught 2.44 walleye per gill net at Perch Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Perch Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Perch Lake thaw?
- Perch Lake typically has ice-out around May 4. Ice typically forms around Nov 20. The open water season is approximately 200 days.
Are there boat ramps on Perch Lake?
- Perch Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Perch Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Perch Lake?
- Perch Lake has 1 documented boat landing 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 Perch 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 St. Louis County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Lake Vermilion Area area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Lake Superior Basin (MN+WI), ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Rainy Lake Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near Perch Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
163 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
MNPCA163 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
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 size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate