Vernon

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Vernon Lake, on August 20, 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, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 16.6 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 91.2 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 74.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present 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 5.3 degrees C (37.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in the year surveyed. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1970 and 1990, this data indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 1970, during the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 59.0 feet. 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 measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Vernon Lake, on August 20, 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, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 16.6 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 91.2 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 74.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present 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 5.3 degrees C (37.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in the year surveyed. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1970 and 1990, this data indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 1970, during the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 59.0 feet. 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 measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Vernon Lake, on August 20, 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, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 16.6 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 91.2 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 74.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present 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 5.3 degrees C (37.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in the year surveyed. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1970 and 1990, this data indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 1970, during the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 59.0 feet. 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 Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike in Vernon. 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 Vernon. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Vernon has a maximum depth of 101 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Vernon is from 1998. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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

No — Vernon has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.