Stowe Lake
Douglas County, Minnesota377 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Stowe Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)
- zebra mussel
- 14 ft max depth
- Public access
Stowe Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 94 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 70.3 µg/L. Maximum depth: 14 ft. Surface area: 377.07 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 16, 2025 caught 5.44 walleye per gill net at Stowe Lake. DNR survey details →
Stowe Lake is a 377-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Douglas County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 14 feet (10-foot average). Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 14 documented fish species including bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, and black crappie. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 36 other monitored lakes in Douglas County, Stowe Lake ranks #35 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-22. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Stowe Lake covers about 380 acres in Douglas County. It has one public boat landing. The median ice-out date is April 13, which is when the open-water season begins. For a place on the water, look through cabin and lake-house rentals near Stowe Lake on Vrbo. For a hotel or motel room, Booking.com and Expedia both search around the lake.
What Stowe Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing14 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 13
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyRecreation use not supported
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. Stowe Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Stowe 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 Stowe Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Stowe Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Very murky, less than 2.6 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 94 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 70.3 µg/L. TSI 68.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 2.6ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 94µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 70.3µg/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. | 68 | Eutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Ask about Stowe Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Stowe Lake typically sits around 64°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 79°F) and coldest in May (about 54°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (54°F) to its warmest (79°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 31 field readings (2017–2019) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Stowe Lake water temperature breakdown →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Stowe Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was high (839,460 cells/mL) on July 19, 2026.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 16, 2025 caught 5.44 walleye per gill net at Stowe Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Stowe Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-06-16 (Standard Survey).
12 surveys on file · most recent 2025-06-16 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 77.08 | 12–13 in 2025-06-16 | 0.41 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 18.99 | 11–18 in 2025-06-16 | 1.73 lb |
| Golden Shiner | 15.62 | ||
| Spottail Shiner | 9.00 | ||
| Bluegill | 8.13 | 3–10 in 2025-06-16 | 0.33 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 5.87 | 5–9 in 2025-06-16 | 0.2 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.
Black Bullhead
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
From the 2025-06-16 survey
Stowe Lake is a 377-acre shallow, productive basin located two miles northwest of Brandon in Douglas County. Mean and maximum depths are 10 and 14 feet, respectively. This basin receives inflows from Hoplin and Wolf Creeks and outflows to the west branch of the Chippewa River. Water quality and clarity can be…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Stowe Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — StoweFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Stowe (1071)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — StoweFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — StowePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
14 ft
Average depth
10 ft
Surface area
377 acres
Shoreline
4.1 mi
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
148 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
1,335 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Stowe 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 Stowe Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Stowe Lake in Douglas 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 Stowe Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Stowe 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 →
Follow Stowe Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Stowe 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 readings over time
3 seasons of samples on record (2020–2025). Calling a direction takes at least 4 years of the same measurement.
Water clarity
Improving3 years
Phosphorus
Improving-8.04 µg/L/yr3 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-6.49 µg/L/yr3 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 13
Earliest Mar 6, 2024 · Latest Apr 28, 2023
Typical ice-in
Nov 27
Earliest Nov 13, 2002 · Latest Dec 21, 2004
Most recent ice-out
Mar 6
2024
13 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Stowe 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: Recreation.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN21-0264-00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Stowe Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- EvansvilleEvansville · 2.6 mi away · NPDES MN0023329
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Nearby Lakes in Douglas County
Frequently asked questions about Stowe Lake
Where is Stowe Lake?
- Stowe Lake is a lake in Douglas County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Stowe Lake?
- Stowe Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 94 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 70.3 µg/L. Maximum depth: 14 ft. Surface area: 377.07 acres.
Is Stowe Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Stowe Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Stowe Lake?
- Stowe Lake typically sits around 64°F at the surface in September, from 31 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2017–2019). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Stowe Lake?
- Stowe Lake has a maximum depth of 14 feet and an average depth of 10 feet. The lake covers 377.07 acres.
What fish are in Stowe Lake?
- Fish species found in Stowe Lake include bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, common carp, freshwater drum, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Stowe Lake is located in Douglas County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Stowe Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 16, 2025 caught 5.44 walleye per gill net at Stowe Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Stowe Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Stowe Lake thaw?
- Stowe Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 13. Ice typically forms around Nov 27. The open water season is approximately 228 days.
Does Stowe Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Stowe Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was high (839,460 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Minnesota's current advisory before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Stowe Lake?
- Stowe Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Stowe Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Stowe Lake?
- Stowe 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 Stowe 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 Douglas County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Alexandria Lakes area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the St. Croix Watershed, ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Lake Superior Basin (MN+WI), ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Sauk River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near Stowe Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
67 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
MNPCA67 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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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