Stuart Lake Water Temperature
Stuart Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota typically sits around 55°F at the surface in October — warmest in Jul (~79°F) and coldest in Oct (~55°F). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Typical water temperature by month
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (55°F) to its warmest (79°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 92 field readings (2016–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. Months with too few readings are left blank.
Is Stuart Lake warm enough to swim?
Pleasant for swimming — the range most people find enjoyable without a wetsuit.
Want more than temperature? Stuart Lake water quality: clarity, algae, phosphorus, depth, fish species, and current advisories, all on one page.
Water temperatures at nearby Minnesota lakes
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Where to stay near Stuart Lake
Planning a swim or lake trip? Compare cabins, lodges, and vacation rentals near Stuart 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 Stuart Lake
Prices for Oct 23–25, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature of Stuart Lake?
Stuart Lake typically sits around 55°F at the surface in October, from 92 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2016–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
When is Stuart Lake warmest?
Surface water at Stuart Lake is typically warmest in July, reaching about 79°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 Stuart Lake warm enough to swim?
At its typical summer peak of about 75°F, Stuart Lake rates as "comfortable" for swimming. Pleasant for swimming — the range most people find enjoyable without a wetsuit.
Where does this Stuart 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 — 92 readings from 3 monitoring stations between 2016 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.