Boot

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Boot Lake on July 31st, 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, which can be limited during the summer. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 82.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 13.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 60.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 47.0 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 5.0 degrees C (41.0 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 2015 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, 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 Boot Lake on July 31st, 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, which can be limited during the summer. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 82.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 13.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 60.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 47.0 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 5.0 degrees C (41.0 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 2015 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, 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 Boot Lake on July 31st, 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, which can be limited during the summer. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 82.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 13.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 60.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 47.0 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 5.0 degrees C (41.0 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 2015 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Cisco 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, Largemouth Bass, and Rock Bass in Boot. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Boot has a maximum depth of 83 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Boot is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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