West Hunter Lake

On the LakeGrade scale West Hunter Lake grades a B, with clarity at 17.2 ft and 30 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Minnesota median. High phosphorus is the leading drag on the score — likely from upland agriculture, lawn runoff, or in-lake sediment release.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at West Hunter Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. West Hunter Lake is a shallow lake at 6 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. The lake is compact at 61 acres, with 1.6 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. West Hunter Lake sits at rank 13 of 24 in Sherburne County, in the lower half of the local distribution.

No invasive species are currently listed at West Hunter Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. 1 fish species are documented at West Hunter Lake, a mixed warm-water community typical for Minnesota lakes of this size. A documented public access point at West Hunter Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies back the grade, so the letter should hold steady absent a major watershed shift.