White Iron Lake

On the LakeGrade scale White Iron Lake grades a B, with clarity at 4.5 ft and 19 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Minnesota median. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.

A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. A maximum depth of 47 ft puts White Iron Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. White Iron Lake covers 3,237 acres alongside 35.5 miles of shoreline, large enough that conditions can vary meaningfully between bays. Within Lake County's 142 graded lakes, White Iron Lake ranks 84 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

White Iron Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 10 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. The lake has a partial ice record — 14 observed ice-outs, centered near Apr 28. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.