Gift

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gift Lake on July 31st, 2025. This was done 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. 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 data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 26.9 feet), the water temperature decreased to 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 12.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 15.4 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 3.1 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Lake Whitefish was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 12.1 degrees C (53.8 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 during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) indicated marginal oxythermal habitat for Lake Whitefish in 2024 and suitable oxythermal habitat in 2025. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not 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 Gift Lake on August 13th, 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 (maximum sampled depth 24.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 12.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 12.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.4 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 16.7 degrees C (62.1 degrees F). TDO3 values near 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. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Gift Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). 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 Gift Lake on August 13th, 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 (maximum sampled depth 24.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 12.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 12.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.4 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 16.7 degrees C (62.1 degrees F). TDO3 values near 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. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Gift Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). 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 and Yellow Perch in Gift. 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 Gift. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Gift has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Gift is from 1973. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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