Inguadona

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Inguadona Lake, which is located partially within the Leech Lake Reservation, on July 31st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile collected to 23.0 feet, the deepest point with measurable oxygen (maximum lake depth 79.0 feet), water temperature dropped below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.9 feet, and dissolved oxygen declined to 3.0 mg/L at 19.1 feet. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 1.2 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 20.4 degrees C (68.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco at the time of the survey as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to August 24th) in six years, between 2007-2024, indicate a range of oxythermal habitat in most years when surveyed. The least favorable conditions were recorded in 2024 with no suitable oxythermal habitat layer present whereas the most favorable conditions were recorded in 2009 with 16.0 feet of suitable habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Inguadona Lake (DOW # 11-120; Lake Class 25) is a 1,132-acre lake located near Longville, Minnesota. There is a state-owned public access on the southeast shore. Inguadona Lake has 565 littoral acres, 11 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 79 feet. Special regulations of a daily limit of 10 Sunfish and a daily limit of five Black Crappie went into effect April 1, 2009. These regulations are intended to increase the number of larger Bluegill and Black Crappie in the population. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Inguadona Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in the class are generally deep, clear, hard-water lakes with irregular shorelines. Other Lake Class 25 lakes in the Walker area include Boy (DOW# 11-0143, Lake Class 25), Birch (DOW# 11-0412, Lake Class 25), Long (DOW# 11-0142, Lake Class 25) and Swift (DOW# 11-0133, Lake Class 25) lakes. The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye and Muskellunge and secondarily for Smallmouth Bass and Yellow Perch. The purpose of the survey was to assess status of gamefish populations, to evaluate Walleye stocking success, and to evaluate success of the special regulation for Sunfish and Black Crappie. Inguadona Lake has a high quality and diverse fishery. Targeted sampling for Black Crappie and Bluegill was done in the spring of 2023. Both crappie and Sunfish have reduced daily bag limits aimed to maintain size structure and spread harvest among anglers. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 4 to 15 inches with an average length of 9 inches. Bluegill ranged in length from 3 to over 10 inches and averaged 6 inches. Management goals for Bluegill abundance were met but not goals for size structure. Largemouth Bass sampled during the survey ranged in length from 13 to 18 inches. Northern Pike are abundant exceeding the maximum abundance management goal but not meeting the size structure goals. The average length of Northern Pike measured 20 inches long with fish up to 32 inches long sampled. Walleye were sampled at moderate levels and ranged in length from 9 to 22 inches with an average length of 15 inches. The 2024 Walleye catch rate did not meet the management goal of five fish per gillnet although, fingerling stocking appears to be bolstering the population. Muskellunge are present in Inguadona Lake and provide opportunity to anglers. Smallmouth Bass were sampled in low numbers but provide angling opportunity. Yellow Perch are moderately abundant, but small. Other fish species anglers may encounter are Bowfin (dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently the aquatic invasive species (AIS) that have been identified in Inguadona Lake are the Rusty Crayfish, Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, and Purple Loosestrife. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Inguadona Lake, which is located partially within the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indian Reservation, on July 30, 2024 , to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 21.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 19.3 feet at the time of sampling. The water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for coldwater fish species. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 22.7 degrees C (72.9 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for coldwater fish species at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2007-2022 during the late summer thermal stress period also indicate unsuitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass in Inguadona. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Inguadona. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Inguadona has a maximum depth of 79 feet and a mean depth of 20.3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Inguadona is from 2024.

Yes — Inguadona has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.