Tanners Lake
Washington County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Tanners Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. Clarity is the limiting factor — phosphorus is reasonable but suspended particles or algal cells keep water transparency below Minnesota norms.
At a TSI of 51, Tanners Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake bottoms out at 46 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. Tanners Lake is small — 74 acres alongside 1.7 miles of shoreline — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Within Washington County's 31 graded lakes, Tanners Lake ranks 17 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.
No invasive species are currently listed at Tanners Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at Tanners Lake, one of 10 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Tanners Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 6.6 ft. Phosphorus level: 28 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 28 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 46 ft |
| Surface Area | 74.39 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.7 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 38% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Tanners Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Tanners Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Tanners Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.05 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +4 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #17 of 31 lakes in Washington County
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Tanners Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2011-08-01 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 32.64 | 0.13 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 9.37 | 0.11 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 4.90 | 0.73 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 4.70 | 0.1 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 4.19 | 0.09 lb |
| Black Crappie | 3.74 | 0.15 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.
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Black Bullhead
Hybrid Sunfish
From the 2011-08-01 survey
Bluegills are the most abundant species in Tanners Lake. The population is considered average when comparing similar lakes. The average size found was 5.26 inches. Only 27.8% of the bluegills sampled exceeded 6 inches in length. Black crappies were also sampled in average abundance. Their average size was 6.17 inches.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Tanners Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — TannersFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — TannersFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — TannersPublic 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: 2024-09-26
Monitoring stations: 2