Pitts Lake
Pitts Lake in Dakota County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 4.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 43 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 8.2 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 4.9 ft
- Typical in August
- 77°F
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- No
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Pitts Lake →
Next lake in Dakota County
Pitts Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Dakota County, Minnesota. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including bluegill and largemouth bass. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Dakota County, Pitts Lake ranks #26 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyElevated nutrients
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Murky, only visible to about 4.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 43 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 8.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 43 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.2 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Pitts Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Pitts Lake in Dakota 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 grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Pitts Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Pitts Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Pitts Lake typically sits around 77°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 77°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 79°F) and coldest in Sep (about 72°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 29 field readings (2017–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Pitts Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Pitts Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.075 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +2.9 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +2.42 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Pitts Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Pepsi-Cola CoBurnsville · 2.6 mi away · NPDES MN0060101
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.
County Ranking
Ranked #26 of 45 lakes in Dakota County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Pitts Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Dakota County
Frequently asked questions about Pitts Lake
What is the water quality grade for Pitts Lake?
- Pitts Lake in Dakota County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 4.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 43 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 8.2 µg/L.
Is Pitts Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Pitts Lake has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 8.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Pitts Lake?
- Pitts Lake typically sits around 77°F at the surface in August, from 29 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2017–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
What fish are in Pitts Lake?
- Fish species found in Pitts Lake include bluegill, largemouth bass. Pitts Lake is located in Dakota County, Minnesota.
Explore Pitts Lake across LakeGrade
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
113 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA113 samples · 2020–2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity, Nephelometric Method
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)