Kingfisher

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Kingfisher Lake, on August 8, 2024, 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. 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, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 20.1 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 26.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 6.0 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 11.2 degrees C (52.2 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 in 1978 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during that sampling period, where the layer thickness was 20.1 feet. 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 measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Kingfisher Lake, on August 8, 2024, 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. 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, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 20.1 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 26.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 6.0 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 11.2 degrees C (52.2 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 in 1978 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during that sampling period, where the layer thickness was 20.1 feet. 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 measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Kingfisher Lake, on August 8, 2024, 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. 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, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 20.1 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 26.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 6.0 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 11.2 degrees C (52.2 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 in 1978 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during that sampling period, where the layer thickness was 20.1 feet. 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 Walleye, Lake Trout, and Yellow Perch in Kingfisher. 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 Kingfisher. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Kingfisher has a maximum depth of 42 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Kingfisher is from 1978. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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