Trader Lake
Lake County, MinnesotaLimited DataMesotrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Trader Lake at a C: clarity at 8.5 ft, phosphorus readings still being added, and a TSI of 46 signal an intermediate trophic state.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. Trader Lake is a shallow lake at 10 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. Trader Lake is small — 54 acres alongside 1.9 miles of shoreline — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Within the 142 graded lakes of Lake County, Trader Lake sits at rank 112, near the bottom of the county list.
No invasive species are currently listed at Trader Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Trader Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. 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 2024-07-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 10 ft |
| Surface Area | 53.65 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.9 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | No |
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.381 m/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #112 of 142 lakes in Lake County
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1972-06-29 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 64.33 | 0.17 lb |
| White Sucker | 17.67 | 1.32 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 0.67 | 0.05 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
From the 1972-06-29 survey
(exhausted. No beavers will be able to inhabit (the lake for years to come. Yellow perch and white sucker populations are extremely high.
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Trader Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — TraderFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Trader Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN38-0491-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.77 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-07-03
Monitoring stations: 3