Little Jay Gould

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Little Jay Gould Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 55.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 16.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 5.1 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 15.3 degrees C (59.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco 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 4 years, between 2008-2023, also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2008 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 3.1 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco 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 Little Jay Gould Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 55.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 16.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 5.1 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 15.3 degrees C (59.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco 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 4 years, between 2008-2023, also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2008 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 3.1 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco 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 Little Jay Gould Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 55.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 16.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 5.1 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 15.3 degrees C (59.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco 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 4 years, between 2008-2023, also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2008 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 3.1 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Black Crappie, Green Sunfish, Rock Bass, and Hybrid Sunfish in Little Jay Gould. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Jay Gould has a maximum depth of 56 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Jay Gould is from 2022.

Yes — Little Jay Gould has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.