Caribou

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Caribou Lake on August 13th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the only coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 49.2 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 20.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 31.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 10.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.8 degrees C (49.6 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish 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 Aug 24th) in 2023 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 1.5 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Caribou Lake on August 13th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the only coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 49.2 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 20.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 31.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 10.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.8 degrees C (49.6 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish 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 Aug 24th) in 2023 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 1.5 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Caribou Lake on August 13th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the only coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 49.2 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 20.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 31.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 10.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.8 degrees C (49.6 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish 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 Aug 24th) in 2023 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 1.5 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye and Northern Pike in Caribou. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Caribou. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Caribou has a maximum depth of 65 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Caribou is from 2000. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Yes — Caribou has confirmed spiny waterflea. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.