Metadata: Lakes with DNR Fisheries IBI Scores

Lakes with DNR Fisheries IBI Scores

This page last updated: 05/01/2026
Metadata created using Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines


Go to Section:
  1. Overview
  2. Data Quality
  3. Data Organization
  4. Coordinate System
  5. Attributes
  6. Distribution - Get Data
  7. Metadata Reference

Section 1: Overview

Originator:DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife - Section of Fisheries

Title: Lakes with DNR Fisheries IBI Scores

Abstract: This layer shows the Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Scores for MN lakes as calculated by DNR Fisheries. Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating higher biological integrity. The score corresponding with the most recent IBI survey with high quality data for each lake is displayed; however, scores for all surveys are included in the layer (i.e., multiple records for each lake may exist and corresponding data can be found in the attribute table).

An IBI is a biologically-based, multi-metric method for measuring the integrity of aquatic systems. Minnesota DNR Fisheries has developed four fish-based lake IBIs that incorporate fish data collected by various methods (trap nets, gill nets, shoreline seines, and backpack electrofishing units) into 8-15 metrics in three categories: species richness, community assemblage, and trophic composition (see Section 5: Attributes). Each metric represents an aspect of the biological assemblage structure, function, or other measurable characteristic that changes in some predictable way with increased human-induced stress. Fish-based IBI scores respond to differences in land use patterns, trophic state, and aquatic vegetation.

The fish-based IBI is a tool used for assessing lake impairment as part of Minnesota's 303(d) Impaired Waters assessments. The scores in this layer should be considered as 'preliminary' until a lake is assessed (see Lakes with Aquatic Life Use Judgement (Based on Fish IBI) layer for assessment information). Stressor identification is then completed for lakes assessed as impaired or vulnerable (see Stressors to Impaired or Vulnerable Lakes (Based on Fish IBI) layer for candidate stressors and associated information). This dataset only includes lakes over 100 acres and within lake classes 22-43, with few exceptions for lakes very close to 100 acres. Additional scores are added to this dataset annually.

For more reference information, see (Section 5: Attributes -- Detailed Citation).

Purpose: This layer provides a visual representation of Fish IBI scores to help assess and monitor the condition of Minnesota lakes, and for the purposes of planning, mapping and spatial/temporal analysis. For each lake, the status of the most recent Fish IBI score is displayed by color; scores from previous years can be accessed through the attribute table.

Time Period of Content Date: 05/01/2026

Currentness Reference: Re-delineations and edits are frequent and occur as needed.

Progress: In work

Maintenance and Update Frequency: Annually

Spatial Extent of Data: Statewide

Bounding Coordinates: -97.23
-89.53
49.37
43.5

Place Keywords: Minnesota, border waters

Theme Keywords: Hydrography, Water, Lakes, Inland Waters, IBI, Index of Biotic Integrity, Metrics, Clean Water, WRAPS, Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies

Theme Keyword Thesaurus:

Access Constraints: None

Use Constraints: None

Contact Person Information: Derek Bahr, Lake IBI Research Scientist
Minnesota DNR - Fisheries
1601 Minnesota Drive
Brainerd, MN  56401
Phone: 218-203-4310
Email: derek.bahr@state.mn.us

Browse Graphic: Click to view a data sample.



Section 2: Data Quality

Attribute Accuracy:

Logical Consistency:

Completeness: Data exist statewide, excluding lake classes 20-21 (softwater lakes) and lake classes 1-19 (in far northeastern MN). Lakes < 100 acres are also excluded.

Horizontal Positional Accuracy: Polygons have been improved by on-screen digitizing over DOQ and FSA imagery.

Vertical Positional Accuracy: N/A

Lineage: The lake polygons are derived from the DNR Hydrography - All Water Features feature class of the DNR Hydrography SDE Dataset. See metadata for DNR Water Features for more detail.

Section 3: Spatial Data Organization (not used in this metadata)


Section 4: Coordinate System

Horizontal Coordinate Scheme: Universal Transverse Mercator

UTM Zone Number: 15

Horizontal Datum: NAD83

Horizontal Units: meters

Vertical Datum: not applicable

Vertical Units: not applicable

Depth Datum: not applicable

Depth Units: not applicable

Section 5: Attributes

Overview: env_ibi_lakes_fisheries (feature class attribute table): DOW, Lake_Name, Watershed_Name, and Fisheries_Area are derived from and consistent with the DNR Hydrography - All Water Features feature class of the DNR Hydrography SDE Dataset. See DNR Hydrography - All Water Features The remaining attributes are specific to this layer. This layer displays the IBI score and associated information from the most recent survey with high quality data for each lake, but records of previous IBI scores and survey information are also included (where applicable).

Detailed Citation: For more detailed information about the fish-based IBI and IBI metrics, consult the following sources:

Bacigalupi, J., D. F. Staples, M. T. Treml, and D. L. Bahr. 2021. Development of fish-based indices of biological integrity for Minnesota lakes. Ecological Indicators 125:107512.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/surfacewater_section/lake_ibi/index.html

Table Detail:
env_ibi_lakes_fisheries - feature class table (DNR Fisheries)
Field NameValid ValuesDefinitionDefinition Source
DOW
-
Waterbody ID per DNR Ecological and Water Resources (EWR) Division's LAKESDB database; the DOWLKNUM may end in"00" (entire basin) or "01","02", etc. (sub-basin)DNR EWR LAKESDB
Lake_Name
-
Public Water (Lake) NameDNR EWR LAKESDB
Watershed_Name
-
HUC08 Watershed NameDNR EWR LAKESDB
Fisheries_Area
-
DNR Fisheries Administrative Areas (Fisheries Office)bdry_dnr_fisheries_admin.gdb\dnr_fisheries_admin
Upcoming_Assessment_Year
-
Upcoming watershed assessment year when lake will be assessed, as established by MPCADNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Survey_YearenumeratedYear of IBI SurveyDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
1997-PresentNote: There were no IBI surveys in 2000, 2004
Survey_DateenumeratedDate of IBI SurveyDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
6/6/1997 - present
IBI_Score0 to 100A total score based on summation of 8 - 15 metrics (dependent upon IBI model used). Higher IBI scores indicate better lake quality (as determined by watershed land use, trophic state and aquatic vegetation). Lake characteristics associated with higher IBI scores are low percent littoral area, high maximum depth, high Secchi depth transparency and high latitude.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
StatusenumeratedStatus of IBI ScoreDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
At or Above Exceptional Use ThresholdIBI score is equal to or greater than the Exceptional Use Threshold
At or Above General Use Impairment ThresholdIBI score is equal to or greater than the General Use Impairment Threshold
Below Exceptional Use ThresholdIBI score is below Exceptional Use Threshold and lake has been designated as Exceptional Use
Below General Use Impairment ThresholdIBI score is below General Use Impairment Threshold and lake has been designated as General Use
Sampled-Wholly Within Tribal NationLake was sampled but is wholly within tribal nation boundary
IBI_Model_UsedenumeratedIndicates which IBI Model was used to generate a score for the lake. The model is based on lake class, and some are adjusted for lake sizeDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
2 shallowApplied to deep, complex, warm lakes
2 deepApplied to deep, complex, cold lakes
4 shallowApplied to deep, simple, warm lakes
4 deepApplied to deep, simple, warm lakes
5Applied to moderately deep, vegetated lakes
7Applied to shallow, productive lakes
Model_DescriptionenumeratedDescription of IBI modelDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Deep Complex WarmDescription for lakes scored using IBI Model 2 shallow
Deep Complex ColdDescription for lakes scored using IBI Model 2 deep
Deep Simple WarmDescription for lakes scored using IBI Model 4 shallow
Deep Simple ColdDescription for lakes scored using IBI Model 2 deep
Moderately Deep VegetatedDescription for lakes scored using IBI Model 5
Shallow ProductiveDescription for lakes scored using IBI Model 7
AnchorenumeratedStratified random sample of lakes identified for long term trend analysis within each watershedDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
YesIdentified as anchor lake
NoNot identified as anchor lake
General_Use_Impairment_ThresholdenumeratedThe General Use Impairment Threshold value associated with each IBI ModelDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
45General Use Impairment Threshold for lakes scored with IBI Model 2
38General Use Impairment Threshold for lakes scored with IBI Model 4
24General Use Impairment Threshold for lakes scored with IBI Model 5
36General Use Impairment Threshold for lakes scored with IBI Model 7
General_Use_Confidence_IntervalenumeratedThe 90% confidence interval for the General Use Tier, determined using repeated surveysDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
36-5490% Confidence Interval for lakes scored with IBI Model 2
30-4690% Confidence Interval for lakes scored with IBI Model 4
9-3990% Confidence Interval for lakes scored with IBI Model 5
27-4590% Confidence Interval for lakes scored with IBI Model 7
Exceptional_Use_ThresholdenumeratedWhen the IBI score is above this value, the fish community may be considered for Exceptional Use designationDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
64Exceptional Use threshold for IBI Model 2
59Exceptional Use threshold for IBI Model 4
<Null>No Exceptional Use threshold for IBI Models 5 or 7
Percent_Diff_From_General_Use_Impairment_Threshold-100 to 316.66666666The percent deviation from the General Use impairment threshold value for that IBI Modell (negitive indicates the score is below the threshold)DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Nat_Sp_Raw
-
Raw value: Number of Native Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Int_Sp_Raw
-
Raw value: Number of Intolerant Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Tol_Sp_Raw
-
Raw value: Number of Tolerant Species. This metric is (-) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Ins_Sp_Raw
-
Raw value: Number of Insectivore Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Omn_Sp_Raw
-
Raw value: Number of Omnivore Species. This metric is (-) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Leu_Sp_Raw
-
Raw value: Number of Leuciscid (formerly Cyprinid) Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Smb_Sp_Raw
-
Raw value: Number of Small Benthic Dwelling Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Veg_Sp_Raw
-
Raw value: Number of Vegetation Dwelling Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Int_NS_Raw
-
Raw value: Proportion of Intolerant Individuals in Nearshore. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Smb_Ns_Raw
-
Raw value: Proportion of Small Benthic Dwelling Individuals in Nearshore. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Veg_Ns_Raw
-
Raw value: Proportion of Vegetation Dwelling Individuals in Nearshore. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Ins_Bm_Raw
-
Raw value: Proportion of Insectivore Biomass in Trapnet. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Omn_Bm_Raw
-
Raw value: Proportion of Omnivore Biomass in Trapnet. This metric is (-) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Tol_Bm_Raw
-
Raw value: Proportion of Tolerant Biomass in Trapnet. This metric is (-) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Tc_Bm_Raw
-
Raw value: Proportion of Carnivore Biomass in Gillnet. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Int_Bm_Raw
-
Raw value: Proportion of Intolerant Biomass in Gillnet. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Nat_Sp_Std
-
Metric Score: Number of Native Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Int_Sp_Std
-
Metric Score: Number of Intolerant Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Tol_Sp_Std
-
Metric Score: Number of Tolerant Species. This metric is (-) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Ins_Sp_Std
-
Metric Score: Number of Insectivore Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Omn_Sp_Std
-
Metric Score: Number of Omnivore Species. This metric is (-) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Leu_Sp_Std
-
Metric Score: Number of Leuciscid (formerly Cyprinid) Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Smb_Sp_Std
-
Metric Score: Number of Small Benthic Dwelling Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Num_Veg_Sp_Std
-
Metric Score: Number of Vegetation Dwelling Species. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Int_Ns_Std
-
Metric Score: Proportion of Intolerant Species in Nearshore. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Smb_Ns_Std
-
Metric Score: Proportion of Small Benthic Dwelling Individuals in Nearshore. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Veg_Ns_Std
-
Metric Score: Proportion of Vegetation Dwelling Individuals in Nearshore. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Ins_Bm_Std
-
Metric Score: Proportion of Insectivore Biomass in Trapnet This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Omn_Bm_Std
-
Metric Score: Proportion of Omnivore Biomass in Trapnet. This metric is (-) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Tol_Bm_Std
-
Metric Score: Proportion of Tolerant Biomass in Trapnet. This metric is (-) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Tc_Bm_Std
-
Metric Score: Proportion of Carnivore Biomass in Gillnet. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
Prop_Int_Bm_Std
-
Metric Score: Presence or absence of intolerant fish species in the Gillnet. This metric is (+) correlated with lake quality. A two (2) indicates that intolerant species were sampled in the gill net. A zero (0) indicates that no intolerants were sampled, but there wasn't an expectation for them to be sampled. A negative one (-1) indicates that no intolerants were sampled and there was an expectation for them to have been sampled.DNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
DisplayenumeratedIdentifies whether an IBI survey is the most recent or best survey data to display for a lakeDNR Fisheries IBI Database (J. Bacigalupi)
NoIBI survey is not the most recent or best survey data to display
YesIBI survey is the most recent or best survey data to display
Easting
-
UTM Easting (X) of waterbody centerESRI auto-calculated
Northing
-
UTM Northing (Y) of waterbody centerESRI auto-calculated
Shape_Length
-
Perimeter of polygonESRI auto-calculated
Shape_Area
-
Area of polygonESRI auto-calculated

Section 6: Distribution

Publisher: Minnesota DNR - Division of Fish and Wildlife

Publication Date: 05/10/2022

Contact Person Information: Zeb Thomas, GIS Data Systems Coordinator
Minnesota DNR - GIS
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul, MN  55155
Phone: 651-259-5637
Email: zeb.thomas@state.mn.us

Distributor's Data Set Identifier: env_ibi_lakes_fisheries.gdb\env_ibi_lakes_fisheries


Ordering Instructions: Please visit the download page for this dataset on the Minnesota Geospatial Commons website using the web link below (Online Linkage).

Online Linkage: I AGREE to the notice in "Distribution Liability" above. Clicking to agree will either begin the download process, link to a service, or provide more instructions. See "Ordering Instructions" above for details.

Section 7: Metadata Reference

Metadata Date: 05/01/2026

Contact Person Information: Derek Bahr, Lake IBI Research Scientist
Minnesota DNR - Fisheries
1601 Minnesota Drive
Brainerd, MN  56401
Phone: 218-203-4310
Email: derek.bahr@state.mn.us

Metadata Standard Name: Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines

Metadata Standard Version: 1.2



This page last updated: 05/01/2026
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