Waptus Lake
Waptus Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 14.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 15 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 45 ft. Surface area: 51.87 acres.
- Clarity
- 14.1 ft
- Typical in August
- 61°F
- Max depth
- 45 ft
- Area
- 52 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Clearwater County
Waptus Lake is a 52-acre mesotrophic lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 45 feet. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 36 other monitored lakes in Clearwater County, Waptus Lake ranks #18 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-09-06. 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)
Good clarity, visible to about 14.1 ft. Phosphorus level: 15 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 2.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14.1 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 15 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.7 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Waptus Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Waptus Lake in Clearwater 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 Waptus Lake
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Water Temperature
Waptus Lake typically sits around 61°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 62°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 66°F) and coldest in Jun (about 58°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 117 field readings (2016–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Waptus Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 45 ft |
| Surface Area | 52 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.7 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 46% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Waptus LakePublic
Fishing Waptus Lake
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1988-07-27 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 7.92 | 0.24 lb |
| Black Crappie | 4.75 | 0.4 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.85 | 0.96 lb |
| White Sucker | 0.75 | 1.77 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
From the 1988-07-27 survey
NO LARGE BLACK CRAPPIE WERE CAUGHT IN TEST NETS, BUT ELECTROSHOCKING DID TURN SOME NICE SIZE CRAPPIE, NORTHERN PIKE, NUMBERS APPEAR STABLE BUT ARE SMALL IN SIZE. YELLOW PERCH NUMBERS ARE HIGH AND APPEAR STUNTED MORE DATA IS NEEDED.
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Waptus Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — WaptusFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Waptus (1340)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — WaptusPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
County Ranking
Ranked #18 of 37 lakes in Clearwater County
Nearby Lakes in Clearwater County
Frequently asked questions about Waptus Lake
What is the water quality grade for Waptus Lake?
- Waptus Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 14.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 15 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.7 µg/L. Maximum depth: 45 ft. Surface area: 51.87 acres.
Is Waptus Lake safe to swim in?
- Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Waptus Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 2.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Waptus Lake?
- Waptus Lake typically sits around 61°F at the surface in August, from 117 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2016–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Waptus Lake?
- Waptus Lake has a maximum depth of 45 feet. The lake covers 51.87 acres.
Are there boat ramps on Waptus Lake?
- Waptus Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Waptus Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Waptus Lake across LakeGrade
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Where this data comes from
46 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band) (Tribal)
WEARTH_WQX46 samples · 2023
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory