South Lindstrom Lake
Chisago County, Minnesota455 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for South Lindstrom Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Mesotrophic
- Impaired · Impaired biota (cause unknown)
- Eurasian watermilfoil
- 34 ft max depth
- Public access
South Lindstrom Lake in Chisago County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 5.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 6.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 34 ft. Surface area: 454.68 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 18, 2022 caught 6.00 walleye per gill net at South Lindstrom Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 8–24 inches. DNR survey details →
South Lindstrom Lake is a 455-acre mesotrophic lake in Chisago County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 34 feet (17-foot average). Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 14 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available. Compared to the 29 other monitored lakes in Chisago County, South Lindstrom Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-16. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
South Lindstrom Lake covers about 450 acres in Chisago County. The median ice-out date is April 15, which is when the open-water season begins. If you are planning to stay, you can search lake houses and cabins around South Lindstrom Lake on Vrbo, or look for a hotel room near the lake on Booking.com or Expedia.
What South Lindstrom Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Fishing14 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 15
- Deep water34 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLow algae
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. South Lindstrom Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for impaired biota (cause unknown). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether South Lindstrom 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.
Water quality measurements for South Lindstrom Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for South Lindstrom Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Murky, only visible to about 5.6 ft. Phosphorus 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 6.1 µg/L. TSI 48.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 5.6ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 16µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 6.1µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 48 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about South Lindstrom Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
South Lindstrom Lake typically sits around 69°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 75°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 79°F) and coldest in May (about 60°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (60°F) to its warmest (79°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 46 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full South Lindstrom Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 18, 2022 caught 6.00 walleye per gill net at South Lindstrom Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 8–24 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows South Lindstrom Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2022-07-18 (Targeted Survey).
11 surveys on file · most recent 2022-07-18 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 40.08 | 5–16 in 2022-07-18 | 0.92 lb |
| Bluegill | 33.51 | 3–9 in 2022-07-18 | 0.15 lb |
| Black Crappie | 13.18 | 4–10 in 2022-07-18 | 0.19 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 7.27 | 5–9 in 2022-07-18 | 0.13 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 4.86 | 4–8 in 2022-07-18 | 0.2 lb |
| Walleye | 4.29 | 8–24 in 2022-07-18 | 2.01 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and is not a weekly bite report.
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.
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Black Crappie
Yellow Perch
From the 2022-07-18 survey
South Lindstrom Lake is a moderately fertile 499-acre lake located in southern Chisago County bordering the city of Lindstrom. The lake is broadly connected to Chisago Lake by a natural channel. The connection between the two lakes facilitates fish movement and the two lakes are considered one for management purposes.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for South Lindstrom Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — South LindstromFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — South LindstromFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — South LindstromPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
34 ft
Average depth
17.3 ft
Surface area
455 acres
Shoreline
3.9 mi
Littoral zone
46%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Stays via Stay22
Stays near South Lindstrom Lake
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Top-rated places to stay near South Lindstrom Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing South Lindstrom Lake
- → South Lindstrom Lake fishing: DNR survey catch rates, species & stocking
- → South Lindstrom Lake fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → South Lindstrom Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from South Lindstrom Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Worsening6 years
Phosphorus
Improving-2.31 µg/L/yr6 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-0.89 µg/L/yr6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 15
Earliest Mar 4, 2024 · Latest Apr 20, 2022
Most recent ice-out
Apr 1
2026
6 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
South Lindstrom Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN13-0028-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Chisago County
Frequently asked questions about South Lindstrom Lake
Where is South Lindstrom Lake?
- South Lindstrom Lake is a lake in Chisago 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 Lindstrom Lake?
- South Lindstrom Lake in Chisago County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 5.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 6.1 µg/L. Maximum depth: 34 ft. Surface area: 454.68 acres.
Is South Lindstrom Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. South Lindstrom Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for impaired biota (cause unknown). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of South Lindstrom Lake?
- South Lindstrom Lake typically sits around 69°F at the surface in September, from 46 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is South Lindstrom Lake?
- South Lindstrom Lake has a maximum depth of 34 feet and an average depth of 17.3 feet. The lake covers 454.68 acres.
What fish are in South Lindstrom Lake?
- Fish species found in South Lindstrom Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. South Lindstrom Lake is located in Chisago County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at South Lindstrom Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 18, 2022 caught 6.00 walleye per gill net at South Lindstrom Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 8–24 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows South Lindstrom Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does South Lindstrom Lake thaw?
- South Lindstrom Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 15.
Can I fish at South Lindstrom Lake?
- Public access to South Lindstrom Lake is listed as yes on the lake record. 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.
Explore South Lindstrom Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Chisago County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
91 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA91 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H 2 ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination by spectrophotometer
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate