Cherokee

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherokee Lake on August 12th, 2025, 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 (maximum sampled depth 150.9 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 28.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 139.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 111.1 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 4.6 degrees C (40.3 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 (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 and 1981 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1981 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 53.8 feet thick. 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 (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherokee Lake on August 12th, 2025, 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 (maximum sampled depth 150.9 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 28.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 139.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 111.1 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 4.6 degrees C (40.3 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 (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 and 1981 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1981 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 53.8 feet thick. 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 (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherokee Lake on August 12th, 2025, 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 (maximum sampled depth 150.9 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 28.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 139.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 111.1 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 4.6 degrees C (40.3 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 (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 and 1981 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1981 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 53.8 feet thick. 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 Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Lake Trout in Cherokee. 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 Cherokee. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Cherokee has a maximum depth of 142 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cherokee is from 1981. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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