Split Rock Reservoir
Pipestone County, MinnesotaHypereutrophic
Split Rock Reservoir grades an F: water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate poorly, placing it among the most stressed lakes monitored in Minnesota. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
Hypereutrophic conditions mean the lake is operating at the upper end of the productivity scale, with all the bloom risk that implies. Split Rock Reservoir reaches 16 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 96 acres, Split Rock Reservoir sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality.
Split Rock Reservoir has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2023, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery is panfish-dominated — bluegill, crappie, and sunfish among the 12 species documented for the lake. A documented public access point at Split Rock Reservoir 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 2023-09-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 1.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 241 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 78.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 241 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 78 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 16 ft |
| Surface Area | 95.79 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 82% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Split Rock Reservoir (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Split Rock Reservoir? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Split Rock Reservoir fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.1 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +6 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Pipestone County
Nearby Lakes in Pipestone County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Split Rock Reservoir
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
9 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-07-07 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 34.28 | 0.29 lb |
| White Sucker | 21.84 | 1.32 lb |
| OSS | 21.65 | 0.03 lb |
| Black Crappie | 17.18 | 0.19 lb |
| Common Carp | 11.81 | 1.94 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 6.09 | 0.22 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
White Sucker
OSS
Black Crappie
From the 2025-07-07 survey
Split Rock Lake is an impoundment created by a dam on Split Rock Creek constructed in 1938. This reservoir is located entirely within the boundaries of Split Rock State Park near Ihlen in Pipestone County. It has a surface area of 80 acres, a maximum depth of 16 feet, Secchi depth of 2.5 feet, and is a class 42 lake.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Split Rock Reservoir. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Split Rock ReservoirFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Split Rock ReservoirFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Split Rock ReservoirPublic 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: 2023-09-11
Monitoring stations: 2