West Stump Lake is a 17,681-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Nelson County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 77 feet (35-foot average). Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Northern Pike. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Nelson County, West Stump Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-10-14. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch West Stump Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.8 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 39.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 39.6 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 77.1 ft |
| Average Depth | 34.9 ft |
| Surface Area | 17,681 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 91.3 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near West Stump Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing West Stump Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.16 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
West Stump Lake averages about 62°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 69°F) and coldest in May (about 44°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 18 field readings (2020–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 9 lakes in Nelson County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
West Stump Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Nelson County
Explore West Stump Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
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Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
Compare West Stump Lake With Nearby Lakes
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2025-10-14
Monitoring stations: 1