Peter
A 282-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County — best known for trout and panfish. Last surveyed 2018.
Fish Species (3)
Lake Trout
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 17.0 per gill net · typical 0.8–4.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2018 | 17.00 | 13.4" | 0.89 lbs |
| Aug 24, 1992 | 6.00 | - | 1.67 lbs |
| Aug 11, 1980 | 9.57 | - | 0.67 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.2 per gill net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2018 | 0.20 | 6.0" | 0.12 lbs |
| Aug 11, 1980 | 1.86 | - | 0.13 lbs |
Other species in this lake (1)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Above-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 12.8 per gill net · typical 1.7–5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2018 | 12.80 | 15.7" | 1.92 lbs |
| Aug 24, 1992 | 4.83 | - | 2.30 lbs |
| Aug 11, 1980 | 16.43 | - | 0.94 lbs |
Biologist Notes
August 6, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Peter Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and qualit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Peter Lake on August 6, 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 dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 39.0 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 105.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 66.4 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 6.2 degrees C (43.2 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. This is the first survey completed on Peter Lake during the late summer thermal stress period, however, data collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1992 and 2018 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable conditions were recorded in 1992, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 65.3 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 6, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Peter Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and qualit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Peter Lake on August 6, 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 dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 39.0 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 105.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 66.4 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 6.2 degrees C (43.2 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. This is the first survey completed on Peter Lake during the late summer thermal stress period, however, data collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1992 and 2018 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable conditions were recorded in 1992, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 65.3 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 6, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Peter Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and qualit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Peter Lake on August 6, 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 dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 39.0 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 105.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 66.4 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 6.2 degrees C (43.2 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. This is the first survey completed on Peter Lake during the late summer thermal stress period, however, data collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1992 and 2018 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable conditions were recorded in 1992, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 65.3 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Peter?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout and Yellow Perch in Peter. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Peter?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Peter. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Peter?
Peter has a maximum depth of 120 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Peter last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Peter is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Peter have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Peter in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
More lakes in Cook County
View allLake Details
- Surface Area
- 281.98 acres
- Max Depth
- 120 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.68 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed