Plaisted Lake

Plaisted Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Plaisted Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. 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. Among the 83 graded lakes in Washington County, Plaisted Lake sits at rank 22, above the county median.

Plaisted Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Plaisted Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Plaisted Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The lake has a partial ice record — 6 observed ice-outs, centered near Apr 6. The grade is supported by multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies, giving the letter a reasonably stable foundation.