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Mille Lacs Lake

Minnesota · Natural · near Isle

132,516 acres 42 ft deep 8 ft clarity Water C
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6.2SCORE
Survey summary · Minnesota
132,516
Surface acres
42 ft
Max depth
76 mi
Shoreline
8 ft
Typical clarity
1,250 ft
Elevation

Mille Lacs Lake covers 132,516 acres in Minnesota and drops to 42 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Township rules. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Large open water, 132,516 acres
  • Fishing
  • Ice fishing

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 6.2
Recreation 6.3
Value 3.5
Access 7.3
Investment 7.6

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

WalleyeSmallmouth bassNorthern pikeMuskie

On the water

FishingIce fishingBoating
Live from MILLE LACS LAKE NR GARRISON, MN. This is a lake or reservoir station measuring gage height on this water body — direct sensor readings, not estimates.
0.93 ft
Gage height
2026-08-04

Gauge history

Daily values from USGS. Loading up to one year.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 519 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 563 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

SURFACE 42 ft max avg 13 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 42 ft, average 13 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown2 ft Drawdown seasonWinter Trophic stateMesotrophic Typical clarity8 ft Water quality gradeC Elevation1,250 ft Managing authorityMN DNR

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityMN DNR Wake / speed rulesOpen water
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with MN DNR that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Township rules

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$580,000
Median waterfront
$5,123
Per shoreline foot
+6.5%
Year over year
101
Est. inventory
91
Avg days on market
$215
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy56% Booked nights / yr147 Gross revenue$40,149 Net operating income$15,733 Yield on median price2.71%
Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Mille Lacs Lake actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$4,860
All-in per month
$133,170
Cash to close + setup
$13,120
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$58,317 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $36,671 (64%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $6,380 (11%) Property taxes $6,090 (11%) Utilities $2,700 (5%) Hazard insurance $2,436 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (1%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$36,671
Property taxes$6,090
Hazard insurance$2,436
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$6,380
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$58,317
Model your own numbers →

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