Stocking Lake
Wadena County, Minnesota362 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Stocking Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- 22 ft max depth
- Public access
Stocking Lake in Wadena County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 7.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 34 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 22 ft. Surface area: 361.75 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 21, 2021 caught 1.12 walleye per gill net at Stocking Lake. DNR survey details →
Stocking Lake is a 362-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Wadena County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 22 feet (7-foot average). Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 14 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Wadena County, Stocking Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-18. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
What Stocking Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing14 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 16
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyAlgae risk
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. Stocking Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Stocking 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 Stocking Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Stocking Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Phosphorus 34 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 15.6 µg/L. TSI 54.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 7.5ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 34µg/L | Fair GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 15.6µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 54 | Eutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Ask about Stocking Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Stocking Lake typically sits around 69°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 76°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 78°F) and coldest in May (about 62°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (62°F) to its warmest (78°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 51 field readings (2011–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Stocking Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 21, 2021 caught 1.12 walleye per gill net at Stocking Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Stocking Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. 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: 2021-06-21 (Standard Survey).
11 surveys on file · most recent 2021-06-21 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 20.86 | ||
| Yellow Perch | 19.20 | 5–8 in 2021-06-21 | 0.11 lb |
| Bluegill | 14.84 | 2–8 in 2021-06-21 | 0.23 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 6.66 | 3–7 in 2021-06-21 | 0.17 lb |
| Northern Pike | 5.68 | 12–27 in 2021-06-21 | 2.38 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.
Yellow Perch
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
Northern Pike
From the 2021-06-21 survey
Stocking Lake is located two miles east of Menahga in northern Wadena County. Stocking Lake is a shallow lake and has a surface area of 357 acres and a maximum depth of 22 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the east shore of the lake. Stocking provides angling opportunities for Panfish, Northern…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Stocking Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — StockingFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Stocking (1327)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — StockingFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — StockingPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
22 ft
Average depth
7 ft
Surface area
362 acres
Shoreline
4.2 mi
Littoral zone
90%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
3 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
1,362 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Stocking LakePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Stocking Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Stocking Lake in Wadena 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. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae, not lodging. Cabins and rentals around Stocking Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Stocking Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Stocking 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.
Water Quality Trend: Worsening
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Improving6 years
Phosphorus
Worsening+0.7 µg/L/yr6 years
Chlorophyll-a
Worsening+0.36 µg/L/yr6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 16
Earliest Mar 30, 2000 · Latest May 3, 2022
Typical ice-in
Nov 14
Earliest Nov 3, 1991 · Latest Dec 8, 1999
Most recent ice-out
Apr 30
2023
55 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Stocking Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN80-0037-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Wadena County
Frequently asked questions about Stocking Lake
Where is Stocking Lake?
- Stocking Lake is a lake in Wadena County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Stocking Lake?
- Stocking Lake in Wadena County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 7.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 34 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 22 ft. Surface area: 361.75 acres.
Is Stocking Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Stocking Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Stocking Lake?
- Stocking Lake typically sits around 69°F at the surface in September, from 51 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2011–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Stocking Lake?
- Stocking Lake has a maximum depth of 22 feet and an average depth of 7 feet. The lake covers 361.75 acres.
What fish are in Stocking Lake?
- Fish species found in Stocking Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Stocking Lake is located in Wadena County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Stocking Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 21, 2021 caught 1.12 walleye per gill net at Stocking Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Stocking Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Stocking Lake thaw?
- Stocking Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 16. Ice typically forms around Nov 14. The open water season is approximately 212 days.
Are there boat ramps on Stocking Lake?
- Stocking Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Stocking Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Stocking Lake?
- Stocking 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.
Explore Stocking 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 Wadena County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Park Rapids Area area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
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Other Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
120 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA120 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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 size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate