Kemo

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kemo Lake on August 21st, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 58.1 feet), the water temperature decreased to 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 26.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 52.7 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 26.5 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Lake Trout was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 5.3 degrees C (41.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2023 and 2024 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 16.8 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Kemo Lake on August 19, 2024 to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 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 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 31.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 47.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 16.8 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 6.3 degrees C (43.3 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress in 2023 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Kemo Lake on August 19, 2024 to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 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 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 31.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 47.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 16.8 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 6.3 degrees C (43.3 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress in 2023 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Splake, Lake Trout, and Brook Trout in Kemo. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

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

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Kemo is from 2023.

No invasive species are on record for Kemo in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.