Pine Tree Lake

On the LakeGrade scale Pine Tree Lake grades a B, with clarity at 8.5 ft and 17 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Minnesota median. Clarity is the limiting factor — phosphorus is reasonable but suspended particles or algal cells keep water transparency below Minnesota norms.

A TSI near 45 places Pine Tree Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Pine Tree Lake ranks 19 of 83 in Washington County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.

Pine Tree Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 8 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. No formal public access is documented at Pine Tree Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. Multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies back the grade, so the letter should hold steady absent a major watershed shift.