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LakeQuality
B

Wild Rice Lake

Carlton County, MinnesotaMesotrophic

Wild Rice Lake comes in at a B on the grading rubric — a respectable showing for a Minnesota lake of its size and depth. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Wild Rice 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's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Wild Rice Lake ranks 13 of 33 in Carlton County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

No invasive species are currently listed at Wild Rice Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Wild Rice Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. 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 2024-10-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels

Water Quality Grade: B, Good

Murky, only visible to about 3.6 ft. Phosphorus level: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 2.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)3.6 ftD
Phosphorus21 µg/LB
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)2.8 µg/LA
Trophic State Index (TSI)49Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Water Quality Trend: Improving

Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+0.416 m/yr5
Phosphorus Declining+3.5 µg/L/yr2
Chlorophyll-a Improving-0.74 µg/L/yr4

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #13 of 33 lakes in Carlton County

Nearby Lakes in Carlton County

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2024-10-17

Monitoring stations: 1