Sarah Lake

Sarah Lake earns a D — measurements through 2020 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. Sarah Lake is a shallow lake at 10 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. At 1,209 acres, Sarah Lake is one of the larger lakes in Murray County, with 8.1 miles of shoreline supporting multiple distinct use patterns. Among the 2 graded lakes in Murray County, Sarah Lake sits at rank 1, above the county median.

Sarah Lake is on the Minnesota infested-waters list for zebra mussels — boaters should follow clean-drain-dry protocols when moving gear to or from the lake. Walleye are documented at Sarah Lake, one of 10 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Sarah Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a long ice-out record — 29 observations on file, with a median ice-out around Mar 30. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.