Tulaby

Coldwater habitat is needed by certain fish species such as Cisco, particularly during summer stratification. One coldwater habitat measure, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreases to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3), can be used to indicate whether coldwater habitat conditions support Cisco. Water quality data were collected from Tulaby Lake on August 7, 2025. During this survey, the TDO3 (temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L) was approximately 70.9 degrees Fahrenheit at 24 feet, which was not colder than the state of Minnesota Cisco coldwater standard of 70.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Tulaby Lake, which is located wholly within the White Earth Indian Reservation, on August 7, 2025. This work was completed 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 70.2 degrees Fahrenheit and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperatures were not adequate until 25 feet, but oxygen concentrations then declined to 1.0 ppm. Oxygen concentrations increased to almost 3 ppm at 24 feet, but water temperature at this depth was 70.9 degrees Fahrenheit. TDO3 values cooler than 70.2 degrees F (21.2 degrees C) generally indicate that oxythermal conditions are suitable for Cisco, so this survey suggests coldwater habitat was minimal in August 2025.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Tulaby Lake, which lies within the boundaries of the White Earth Reservation, was conducted on July 18, 20, 24, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 14 sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample twelve stations and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and three species that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program Staff. Twelve trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and biomass. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was above the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 27 lakes and the average length was 5.9 inches, with 21% over 7 inches. Conversely, the number of Black Crappie sampled per net was below the 25% quartile for Lake Class 25 lakes. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2021 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Tulaby Lake was conducted on July 25, 2022 by Detroit Lakes Area Fisheries Staff. Data collected during this nearshore survey were combined with trap net and gill net data to calculate a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score for the lake. The FIBI Tool-2 was used for scoring and resulted in a FIBI score of 69. The previous score for Tulaby Lake was 45 in July 2015. The impairment threshold score is 45, suggesting that the fish population in Tulaby Lake meets expectations for lakes of similar characteristics, and the lake is likely not biologically impaired. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Wild Rice River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Green Sunfish, and Hybrid Sunfish in Tulaby. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Tulaby has a maximum depth of 43 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Tulaby is from 2023.

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