Explorer

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Explorer Lake on August 19th, 2025, 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 (maximum sampled depth 55.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 30.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 42.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 11.2 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 6.1 degrees C (43.0 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. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a similar layer thickness and TDO3 (13.8 and 6.4 respectively). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout 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 Explorer Lake on August 19th, 2025, 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 (maximum sampled depth 55.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 30.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 42.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 11.2 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 6.1 degrees C (43.0 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. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a similar layer thickness and TDO3 (13.8 and 6.4 respectively). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout 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 Explorer Lake on August 19th, 2025, 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 (maximum sampled depth 55.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 30.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 42.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 11.2 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 6.1 degrees C (43.0 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. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a similar layer thickness and TDO3 (13.8 and 6.4 respectively). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout and Yellow Perch in Explorer. 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 Explorer. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Explorer has a maximum depth of 75 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Explorer is from 1972. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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