Mons

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Mons Lake on August 15th, 2024, 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. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 15.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 22.7 feet at the time of sampling, samples were collected down to 42.0 of 80.0 feet due to lack of dissolved oxygen. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 7.3 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 11.5 degrees C (52.7 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 7 years, between 1983-2023, also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1983 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 5.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Mons Lake on August 15th, 2024, 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. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 15.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 22.7 feet at the time of sampling, samples were collected down to 42.0 of 80.0 feet due to lack of dissolved oxygen. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 7.3 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 11.5 degrees C (52.7 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 7 years, between 1983-2023, also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1983 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 5.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Mons Lake on August 15th, 2024, 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. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 15.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 22.7 feet at the time of sampling, samples were collected down to 42.0 of 80.0 feet due to lack of dissolved oxygen. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 7.3 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 11.5 degrees C (52.7 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 7 years, between 1983-2023, also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1983 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 5.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

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

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

Mons has a maximum depth of 80 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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