Smith Lake
Itasca County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Smith Lake at a C: clarity at 9.0 ft, phosphorus readings still being added, and a TSI of 45 signal an intermediate trophic state.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. A maximum depth of 25 ft puts Smith Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. The lake is compact at 43 acres, with 1.4 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Within the 141 graded lakes of Itasca County, Smith Lake sits at rank 108, near the bottom of the county list.
Smith Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Walleye are documented at Smith Lake, one of 10 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Smith Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2024-08-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9 ft. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 25 ft |
| Surface Area | 43.24 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.4 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 83% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Smith Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Smith Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Smith Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.367 m/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #108 of 141 lakes in Itasca County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Smith Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Itasca County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Smith Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2011-06-27 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 17.61 | 0.19 lb |
| Northern Pike | 8.04 | 1.18 lb |
| Black Crappie | 3.88 | 0.08 lb |
| Bluegill | 3.50 | 0.22 lb |
| Rock Bass | 1.96 | 0.27 lb |
| White Sucker | 1.50 | 2.66 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.
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Bluegill
White Sucker
From the 2011-06-27 survey
Smith Lake is a 43 acre lake located 9 miles south of Grand Rapids, MN on the west side of Hwy 169. Inlets to Smith Lake include Smith Creek in the southwest corner and an unnamed, intermittent stream in the southeast corner. The outlet is located in the northwest. Smith Lake has a maximum depth of 25 ft and moderate…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Smith Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — SmithFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Smith (0780)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — SmithPublic Water Access Sites · 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: 2024-08-24
Monitoring stations: 1