Rays Lake
Le Sueur County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
Rays Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. A maximum depth of 32 ft puts Rays Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Rays Lake covers 169 acres alongside 2.2 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Rays Lake ranks 6 of 14 in Le Sueur County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.
Rays Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 15 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Rays Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Ice-out has been recorded 7 times at Rays Lake, with a median around Mar 29. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 3.6 ft. Trophic State Index: 59.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 32 ft |
| Surface Area | 168.93 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.2 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 82% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Rays Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Rays Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Rays Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
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: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.021 m/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (12 observations).
Estimated open water season: 252 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2015-03-21 (2015) | 2008-04-16 (2008) |
| Ice-In | 2008-11-19 (2008) | 2004-12-14 (2004) |
Most recent ice-out: 2015-03-21
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 14 lakes in Le Sueur County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Rays Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Le Sueur County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Rays Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
10 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2021-07-26 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 34.25 | 0.47 lb |
| Bluegill | 32.64 | 0.13 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 23.99 | — |
| Green Sunfish | 23.83 | — |
| Black Crappie | 15.93 | 0.2 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 3.06 | 0.83 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
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.
Black Bullhead
Bluegill
Bluntnose Minnow
Green Sunfish
From the 2021-07-26 survey
Rays (Charles) Lake is a 156.3-acre lake located in Le Sueur County north of the town of Elysian. A public access is located on the south side of the lake off 1st Street North, which goes north from Elysian. Rays Lake has a maximum depth of 32.0 feet. Eurasian watermilfoil is present in Rays Lake. Boaters should be…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Rays Lake. 2 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — RaysFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — RaysPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Rays Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN40-0061-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.9 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2024-09-01
Monitoring stations: 1