Three

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Three Lake on August 18th, 2025, 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 (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). 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 36.1 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 21.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 20.7 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen 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 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish 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) indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a TDO3 of 12.6 and a 12.0-foot layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, such as was the case in 2025, 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 Three Lake on August 18th, 2025, 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 (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). 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 36.1 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 21.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 20.7 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen 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 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish 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) indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a TDO3 of 12.6 and a 12.0-foot layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, such as was the case in 2025, 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 Three Lake on August 18th, 2025, 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 (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). 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 36.1 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 21.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 20.7 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen 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 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish 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) indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in 2024, with a TDO3 of 12.6 and a 12.0-foot layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, such as was the case in 2025, 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, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Yellow Perch in Three. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Three has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Three is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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

No — Three 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.