South Sugar Lake Water Temperature
South Sugar Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota typically sits around 70°F at the surface in August — warmest in Jul (~75°F) and coldest in May (~66°F). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Typical water temperature by month
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 14 field readings (2017–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. Months with too few readings are left blank.
Is South Sugar Lake warm enough to swim?
Pleasant for swimming — the range most people find enjoyable without a wetsuit.
Want more than temperature? South Sugar Lake scored A on water quality — clarity, algae, phosphorus, depth, fish species, and swimming safety, all on one report card.
Water temperatures at nearby Minnesota lakes
Summer average ~66°F
Summer average ~56°F
Summer average ~72°F
Summer average ~71°F
Summer average ~68°F
Summer average ~59°F
Explore water temperatures
Where to stay near South Sugar Lake
Planning a swim or lake trip? Compare cabins, lodges, and vacation rentals near South Sugar Lake — live availability and prices. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near South Sugar Lake
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Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature of South Sugar Lake?
South Sugar Lake typically sits around 70°F at the surface in August, from 14 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2017–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
When is South Sugar Lake warmest?
Surface water at South Sugar Lake is typically warmest in July, reaching about 75°F. Lake surface temperature lags air temperature by several weeks, so the warmest water usually arrives in mid-to-late summer even though the hottest air can come earlier.
Is South Sugar Lake warm enough to swim?
At its typical summer peak of about 73°F, South Sugar Lake rates as "comfortable" for swimming. Pleasant for swimming — the range most people find enjoyable without a wetsuit.
Where does this South Sugar Lake water temperature data come from?
Every temperature on this page is a typical (climatological) value computed from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal — 14 readings from 1 monitoring station between 2017 and 2025. They describe what is typical for each month, not the temperature right now.
About this data
Water temperatures are a climatology — the typical value for each month, averaged from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. They tell you what to expect, not the temperature at this moment. Actual conditions vary with recent weather, depth, and time of day.