Ryan Lake

On the scoring rubric Ryan Lake grades a D: clarity at 5.6 ft and phosphorus readings still being added keep it in the lower bracket for Hennepin County.

At a TSI of 52, Ryan Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. Ryan Lake reaches 36 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. The lake is compact at 19 acres, with 0.9 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Ryan Lake ranks 46 of 95 in Hennepin County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

Ryan Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2021, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 12, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. No formal public access is documented at Ryan Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. Ice-out has been recorded 6 times at Ryan Lake, with a median around Apr 3. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.