Sunset Lake
Sunset Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 9.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 17 ft. Surface area: 133.14 acres.
- Clarity
- 9.5 ft
- Typical in August
- 81°F
- Max depth
- 17 ft
- Area
- 133 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- No
- Ice-out
- Apr 9
- Open water
- 240 days
Next lake in Washington County
Sunset Lake is a 133-acre mesotrophic lake in Washington County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 17 feet. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. The lake supports 11 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 74 other monitored lakes in Washington County, Sunset Lake ranks #15 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A (Excellent)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 16 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.6 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Sunset Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sunset Lake in Washington 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.
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Water Temperature
Sunset Lake typically sits around 81°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 80°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 84°F) and coldest in Apr (about 54°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 40 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Sunset Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 17 ft |
| Surface Area | 133 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 93% |
| Public Access | No |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Sunset 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.
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (8 observations).
Estimated open water season: 240 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2007-03-26 (2007) | 2008-04-20 (2008) |
| Ice-In | 2007-11-26 (2007) | 2004-12-04 (2004) |
Most recent ice-out: 2008-04-20
EPA Impairment Status
Sunset Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN82-0151-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.9 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #15 of 75 lakes in Washington County
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
Frequently asked questions about Sunset Lake
What is the water quality grade for Sunset Lake?
- Sunset Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 9.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.6 µg/L. Maximum depth: 17 ft. Surface area: 133.14 acres.
Is Sunset Lake safe to swim in?
- Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Sunset Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.6 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Sunset Lake?
- Sunset Lake typically sits around 81°F at the surface in August, from 40 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Sunset Lake?
- Sunset Lake has a maximum depth of 17 feet. The lake covers 133.14 acres.
What fish are in Sunset Lake?
- Fish species found in Sunset Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, yellow perch. Sunset Lake is located in Washington County, Minnesota.
When does Sunset Lake thaw?
- Sunset Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 9. Ice typically forms around Dec 5. The open water season is approximately 240 days.
Explore Sunset Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade A Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
54 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA54 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated 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
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate