Wood Lake is a 104-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Benson County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 26 feet (12-foot average). Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Benson County, Wood Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-08-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 10.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 10.9 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 26.2 ft |
| Average Depth | 12.2 ft |
| Surface Area | 104 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.9 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Wood Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Wood Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Wood Lake averages about 71°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 73°F) and coldest in Mar (about 33°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 170 field readings (2012–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Wood Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 4 lakes in Benson County
Nearby Lakes in Benson County
Explore Wood Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Benson County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
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Other Grade A Lakes in North Dakota
Oligotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
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: 2023-08-29
Monitoring stations: 1