Sargent Lake
Sargent Lake in Mahnomen County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 8.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 6.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 15 ft. Surface area: 137.54 acres.
- Clarity
- 8.9 ft
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Area
- 138 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Mahnomen County
Sargent Lake is a 138-acre mesotrophic lake in Mahnomen County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 15 feet. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. The lake supports 12 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Mahnomen County, Sargent Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A (Excellent)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 6.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 16 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.1 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Sargent Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sargent Lake in Mahnomen County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 15 ft |
| Surface Area | 138 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Sargent Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
7 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-07-28 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 49.66 | 0.28 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 18.04 | 0.35 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 15.22 | 0.25 lb |
| CNM | 12.40 | — |
| BNS | 9.30 | — |
| Bluegill | 6.76 | 0.35 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
Brown Bullhead
Yellow Perch
Bluegill
From the 2025-07-28 survey
Sargent Lake is a small, shallow lake located within the White Earth Indian Reservation, approximately 3 miles west of Naytahwaush, MN. A DNR-owned public access exists on the west side of the lake, but there are no docks or concrete planks. Winterkill or partial winterkill has occurred in severe winters in Sargent…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Sargent Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — SargentFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Sargent (1951)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — SargentPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Sargent Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Chippewa Ranch WwslMahnomen · 3.8 mi away · NPDES MN0059404Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 12 lakes in Mahnomen County
Nearby Lakes in Mahnomen County
Frequently asked questions about Sargent Lake
What is the water quality grade for Sargent Lake?
- Sargent Lake in Mahnomen County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 8.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 6.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 15 ft. Surface area: 137.54 acres.
Is Sargent Lake safe to swim in?
- Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Sargent Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 6.1 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Sargent Lake?
- Sargent Lake has a maximum depth of 15 feet. The lake covers 137.54 acres.
What fish are in Sargent Lake?
- Fish species found in Sargent Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Sargent Lake is located in Mahnomen County, Minnesota.
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Where this data comes from
28 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band) (Tribal)
WEARTH_WQX28 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder