Target Lake
Target Lake in Houston County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 5.1 ft visibility.
- Clarity
- 5.1 ft
- Typical in August
- 73°F
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Houston County
Why Target Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when its monitoring record clears the evidence bar: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Target Lake, the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Sampling here has recorded water clarity, but not phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by MPCA and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Target Lake is a lake in Houston County, Minnesota. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-10-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Target Lake
These readings exist but do not meet the evidence bar for an A–F grade — see why.
Murky, only visible to about 5.1 ft. Trophic State Index: 54.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.1 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Target Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Target Lake in Houston 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Target Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Target Lake typically sits around 73°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 75°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 77°F) and coldest in Sep (about 66°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 11 field readings (2023–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Target Lake water temperature breakdown →
Recreation & Access
- La Crosse Municipal HarborPublic
- 7th StreetPublic
- Sportsman LandingPublic
Fishing Target Lake
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
6 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Target Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 5 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- La Crosse CityLa Crosse · 1.4 mi away · NPDES WI0029581MajorRecent violation
- United States Geological SurveyLa Crosse · 1.5 mi away · NPDES WI0045756Recent violation
- Northern States Power French ILa Crosse · 2.9 mi away · NPDES WI0070785Recent violation
- Westfield WwtfWest La Crosse · 4 mi away · NPDES WI0022250Recent violation
- Hokah WwtpHokah · 4.3 mi away · NPDES MN0021458Recent violation
- LacrescentLacrescent · 2.4 mi away · NPDES MN0020621
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.
Graded lakes near Target Lake
Target Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Houston County
Frequently asked questions about Target Lake
What is the water quality grade for Target Lake?
- Target Lake in Houston County, Minnesota is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 5.1 ft visibility.
Is Target Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Target Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Target Lake?
- Target Lake typically sits around 73°F at the surface in August, from 11 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2023–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Are there boat ramps on Target Lake?
- Target Lake has 3 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include La Crosse Municipal Harbor, 7th Street, Sportsman Landing. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Target Lake across LakeGrade
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Where this data comes from
5 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA5 samples · 2023
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory