West Hunter Lake
Sherburne County, MinnesotaMesotrophic
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. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. 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.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Crystal clear, you can see 17.2 ft down. Phosphorus level: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 5.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 17.2 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 30 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.3 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 61.32 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 98% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for West Hunter Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from West Hunter Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ West Hunter Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.75 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1.5 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #13 of 24 lakes in Sherburne County
Nearby Lakes in Sherburne County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near West Hunter Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2007-06-11 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 336.19 | 0.26 lb |
| Bluegill | 33.15 | 0.11 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 16.97 | 1.6 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 15.33 | 0.13 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 14.29 | 0.12 lb |
| Common Carp | 4.17 | 0.47 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.
Black Bullhead
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Pumpkinseed
From the 2007-06-11 survey
East and West Hunter Lakes are small, shallow, connected lakes located four miles west of Zimmerman in eastern Sherburne County. In 1986 Livonia Township secured title to a parcel on the northwest shore of West Hunter Lake and made arrangements with DNR for a cooperative access. The Hunter Lakes have a history of…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for West Hunter Lake. 3 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — West HunterFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — West Hunter (1858)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — West HunterPublic 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: 2024-09-24
Monitoring stations: 1