Winsted Lake
McLeod County, Minnesota382 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Winsted Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Hypereutrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- 12 ft max depth
- Public access
- Limited data
Winsted Lake in McLeod County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 3.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 547 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 52.3 µg/L. Maximum depth: 12 ft. Surface area: 382.45 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 28, 2021 caught 0.11 northern pike per gill net at Winsted Lake. DNR survey details →
Winsted Lake is a 382-acre highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in McLeod County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 12 feet (6-foot average). The lake supports 13 documented fish species including bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, and black crappie. Public access is available. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in McLeod County, Winsted Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-09-19. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Winsted Lake covers about 380 acres in McLeod County. The median ice-out date is April 6, which is when the open-water season begins. Vrbo is where to look for cabins and lake homes around Winsted Lake, and Booking.com and Expedia search hotels near the lake for your dates.
What Winsted Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Fishing13 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 6
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyRecreation use not supported
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Winsted Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Winsted Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Winsted Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Winsted Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Very murky, less than 3.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 547 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 52.3 µg/L. TSI 75.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 3.3ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 547µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 52.3µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 75 | Hypereutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Ask about Winsted Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Winsted Lake typically sits around 66°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 78°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 79°F) and coldest in May (about 61°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (61°F) to its warmest (79°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 20 field readings (2023–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Winsted Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 28, 2021 caught 0.11 northern pike per gill net at Winsted Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Winsted Lake’s water-quality measurements separately. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
8 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2021-06-28 (Standard Survey).
8 surveys on file · most recent 2021-06-28 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 61.44 | 4–12 in 2021-06-28 | 0.38 lb |
| Shorthead Redhorse | 19.00 | 0.57 lb | |
| Common Carp | 17.27 | 3–25 in 2021-06-28 | 4.04 lb |
| Black Crappie | 15.56 | 4–9 in 2021-06-28 | 0.36 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 10.57 | 4–8 in 2021-06-28 | 0.21 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 8.19 | 7–15 in 2021-06-28 | 1.27 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and is not a weekly bite report.
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
Common Carp
Black Crappie
Yellow Perch
From the 2021-06-28 survey
Winsted is a medium sized lake (382 acres) located near the City of Winsted in McLeod County. A small state-owned access with a single cement boat ramp is located on the southeast shore. Winsted has four miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 12 feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Winsted Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — WinstedFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — WinstedFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — WinstedPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
12 ft
Average depth
6 ft
Surface area
382 acres
Shoreline
4 mi
Littoral zone
100%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
1 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
984 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Winsted Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Winsted Lake in McLeod County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae, not lodging. Cabins and rentals around Winsted Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Winsted Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Follow Winsted Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Winsted Lake
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 6
Earliest Mar 3, 2024 · Latest Apr 29, 2013
Typical ice-in
Nov 25
Earliest Nov 2, 1991 · Latest Dec 17, 2015
Most recent ice-out
Mar 30
2026
44 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Winsted Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Winsted Lake (completed 1954), built primarily for recreation on the Crow River S Fork-TR; other-type dam, 7 ft tall and 46 ft long.
- Surface area
- 376 ac
- Normal storage
- 2,448 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,672 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 26.6 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MNDNR-Trails
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MN00159 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Winsted Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption, Recreation.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN43-0012-00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Winsted Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Winsted WwtpWinsted · 1.3 mi away · NPDES MN0021571Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Nearby Lakes in McLeod County
Frequently asked questions about Winsted Lake
Where is Winsted Lake?
- Winsted Lake is a lake in McLeod County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Winsted Lake?
- Winsted Lake in McLeod County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 3.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 547 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 52.3 µg/L. Maximum depth: 12 ft. Surface area: 382.45 acres.
Is Winsted Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Winsted Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Winsted Lake?
- Winsted Lake typically sits around 66°F at the surface in September, from 20 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2023–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Winsted Lake?
- Winsted Lake has a maximum depth of 12 feet and an average depth of 6 feet. The lake covers 382.45 acres.
What fish are in Winsted Lake?
- Fish species found in Winsted Lake include bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, common carp, green sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, orangespotted sunfish, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Winsted Lake is located in McLeod County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Winsted Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 28, 2021 caught 0.11 northern pike per gill net at Winsted Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Winsted Lake’s water-quality measurements separately. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Winsted Lake thaw?
- Winsted Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 6. Ice typically forms around Nov 25. The open water season is approximately 233 days.
Can I fish at Winsted Lake?
- Public access to Winsted Lake is listed as yes on the lake record. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Winsted Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in McLeod County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Crow River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near Winsted Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Hypereutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Winsted Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
15 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA15 samples · 2023
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate