Rose Lake
Cook County, MinnesotaLimited DataOligotrophic
Rose Lake comes in at a B on the grading rubric — a respectable showing for a Minnesota lake of its size and depth.
A TSI value of 39 puts Rose Lake in the oligotrophic range, where biological productivity stays low and the water column remains clear. The lake's 130 ft maximum depth is in the upper tier for Minnesota — deep enough for cold-water fish to find refuge in summer. Rose Lake covers 477 acres alongside 7.6 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Rose Lake ranks 47 of 128 in Cook County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Rose Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 5, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. No formal public access is documented at Rose Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-07-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 14.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 130 ft |
| Average Depth | 46.8 ft |
| Surface Area | 476.95 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 7.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 31% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Rose Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Rose Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Rose Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.305 m/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #47 of 128 lakes in Cook County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Rose Lake holds Grade B. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Rose Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Oligotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Rose Lake With Nearby Lakes
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
7 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-08-11 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Tullibee (Cisco) | 12.04 | 0.74 lb |
| CIS | 11.75 | 0.78 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 3.40 | 0.11 lb |
| White Sucker | 3.33 | 2.41 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 3.25 | 0.31 lb |
| Lake Trout | 2.05 | 2.52 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.
Tullibee (Cisco)
CIS
Green Sunfish
White Sucker
From the 2025-08-11 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Duncan Lake on August 11th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Rose Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — DuncanFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-07-30
Monitoring stations: 2