Red Willow Lake is a 151-acre mesotrophic lake in Griggs County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 24 feet (10-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Griggs County, Red Willow Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-10-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Red Willow Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 6.4 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 6.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.4 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.8 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 23.5 ft |
| Average Depth | 10.3 ft |
| Surface Area | 151 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.8 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Red Willow Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Red Willow Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.086 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Red Willow Lake averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 73°F) and coldest in Oct (about 49°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 21 field readings (2020–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Red Willow Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Griggs County
Nearby Lakes in Griggs County
Explore Red Willow Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Griggs County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2025-10-23
Monitoring stations: 1