Wheaton Lake is a 164-acre mesotrophic lake in Rolette County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 26 feet (13-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Walleye and Yellow Perch. Public access is available. Compared to the 13 other monitored lakes in Rolette County, Wheaton Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-09-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Wheaton Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 5.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.3 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 25.6 ft |
| Average Depth | 12.6 ft |
| Surface Area | 164 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.8 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Wheaton Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Wheaton Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.01 m/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.62 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
Wheaton Lake averages about 64°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 67°F) and coldest in Feb (about 37°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 84 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 14 lakes in Rolette County
Nearby Lakes in Rolette County
Explore Wheaton Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Rolette County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in North Dakota
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Wheaton Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Gordon (completed 1960), built primarily for recreation on the Ox Creek; earth-type dam, 10 ft tall and 365 ft long.
- Surface area
- 164 ac
- Normal storage
- 926 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,643 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 3.43 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- BIA
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond;Water Supply.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND01068 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.86 km)
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
Most recent sample: 2025-09-23
Monitoring stations: 1