Devils Elbow

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Devils Elbow Lake on August 13th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). 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 42.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 22.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 24.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 2.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal 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 14.5 degrees C (58.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Lake Whitefish 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 Aug 24th) in 1978 and 2024 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 1978 and no suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, 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 Devils Elbow Lake on August 13th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). 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 42.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 22.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 24.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 2.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal 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 14.5 degrees C (58.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Lake Whitefish 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 Aug 24th) in 1978 and 2024 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 1978 and no suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, 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 Devils Elbow Lake on August 13th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). 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 42.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 22.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 24.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 2.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal 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 14.5 degrees C (58.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Lake Whitefish 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 Aug 24th) in 1978 and 2024 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 1978 and no suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

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

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

Devils Elbow has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Devils Elbow is from 1999. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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