Sunset Lake

Sunset Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. Clarity is the limiting factor — phosphorus is reasonable but suspended particles or algal cells keep water transparency below Minnesota norms.

A TSI near 44 places Sunset Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. Sunset Lake reaches 17 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 133 acres, Sunset Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 2.5 miles of shoreline. Among the 83 graded lakes in Washington County, Sunset Lake ranks 18 — in the top quartile locally.

Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Sunset Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. Walleye are documented at Sunset Lake, one of 11 fish species on record for the lake. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. Multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies back the grade, so the letter should hold steady absent a major watershed shift.