Where is South Heron Lake?

South Heron Lake is a lake in Jackson County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.

How deep is South Heron Lake?

South Heron Lake has a maximum depth of 10.4 feet. The lake covers 2670 acres.

Are there boat ramps on South Heron Lake?

South Heron Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include South Heron Lake (West). Public access is listed as yes.

Can I fish at South Heron Lake?

South Heron Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.

South Heron Lake

Jackson County, Minnesota2,670 acresView map Directions

No nutrient or algae sampling on record from Minnesota PCA for this lake.

Max depth

10.4 ft

Bathymetric survey

Area

2,670 acres

Surface area

Shoreline

14.8 mi

Measured length

Impaired · Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)
10 ft max depth
Public access

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

South Heron Lake in Jackson County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 10.4 ft. Surface area: 2670 acres.

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South Heron Lake is a 2,670-acre lake in Jackson County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 10 feet. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

What South Heron Lake is good for

From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.

Boat launch1 documented ramp
Big water2,670 acres

Swimming conditions

No reading

Recreation use not supported

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. South Heron Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether South Heron Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for South Heron Lake

These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for South Heron Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data. TSI undefined.

Ask about South Heron Lake

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

Lake Details

Max depth

10.4 ft

Surface area

2,670 acres

Shoreline

14.8 mi

Public access

Yes

Listed by Minnesota PCA

Recreation & Access

Boat Landings

Yes

Public Access

South Heron Lake (West)Public

Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps

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Stays near South Heron Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near South Heron Lake in Jackson 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.

Top-rated places to stay near South Heron Lake

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Fishing South Heron Lake

→ South Heron Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

South Heron Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).

Causes of impairment

Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)

Designated uses not supporting: Recreation.

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN32-0057-07 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in Jackson County

Lake Flaherty2.5 miView →Heron Lake4.5 miView →Teal Lake4.7 miView →Timber Lake6.9 miView →Heron Lake1 ft clear7.4 miView →Boot Lake8.1 miView →

Frequently asked questions about South Heron Lake

Where is South Heron Lake?: South Heron Lake is a lake in Jackson County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of South Heron Lake?: South Heron Lake in Jackson County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 10.4 ft. Surface area: 2670 acres.
Is South Heron Lake safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. South Heron Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
How deep is South Heron Lake?: South Heron Lake has a maximum depth of 10.4 feet. The lake covers 2670 acres.
Are there boat ramps on South Heron Lake?: South Heron Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include South Heron Lake (West). Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at South Heron Lake?: South Heron Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.