Description
Hill Lake is a medium-sized, moderate-depth lake located just east of Hill City, Minnesota. The lake has two distinct basins divided by Highway 200. The southern basin is more nutrient rich than the northern basin, with elevated total phosphorous and chlorophyll levels. The watershed is composed primarily of forested land cover, with some pastureland and open areas and is situated in the larger Mississippi River watershed.
The aquatic plant community in Hill Lake is relatively diverse with a narrow band of moderately dense plant growth rimming both basins. Plants grow in approximately 2/3 of the smaller southern basin, though reduced water clarity limits how deep these plants can grow.
The lake supports a fish community comprised of both warm- and cool-water species including Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill. The Walleye population is primarily maintained via alternate year fry stockings, although occasional naturally produced year classes do occur.
Hill Lakes was chosen as a Sentinel Lake because it is a moderately deep, mesotrophic lake in the Northern Lakes and Forests ecoregion
Location
Data
County: Aitkin
Ecoregion: Northern Lakes and Forests
Surface Area: 792 acres
Littoral Area: 354 acres
Shoreline Length: 11 miles
Maximum Depth: 40 feet
Classification: Tier 2
DNR Lake No.: 01014200
MPCA report
Depth
