Malberg

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected in Malberg Lake on August 14th, 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. 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 32.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 11.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 10.5 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen 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 19.9 degrees C (67.8 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish 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 2013 and 2024 indicate suitable oxythermal habitat at the time of those surveys, which is in in contrast with the unsuitable oxythermal habitat recorded in 2025. 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 in Malberg Lake on August 14th, 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. 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 32.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 11.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 10.5 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen 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 19.9 degrees C (67.8 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish 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 2013 and 2024 indicate suitable oxythermal habitat at the time of those surveys, which is in in contrast with the unsuitable oxythermal habitat recorded in 2025. 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 in Malberg Lake on August 14th, 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. 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 32.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 11.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 10.5 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen 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 19.9 degrees C (67.8 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish 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 2013 and 2024 indicate suitable oxythermal habitat at the time of those surveys, which is in in contrast with the unsuitable oxythermal habitat recorded in 2025. 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, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass in Malberg. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Malberg has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Malberg is from 2013. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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