Data sources & licenses

Minnesota DNR

MN DNR General Data & Software License · Lake Map License

LakeFinder (lake identification, fish stocking & regulations, invasive-species status), Lake Mapping bathymetry/depth, nearby public lands, and water-clarity programs.

The DNR permits derivative works (analysis like our Shoreline Score) but prohibits reselling the raw data itself. Lake map data is provided by the Minnesota DNR and used in accordance with the MN DNR Lake Map License. We acknowledge the Minnesota DNR as a data contributor.

Michigan EGLE

U.S. state public data (MiEnviro / open data)

Michigan lake identification & outlines (MiEnviroBasemap), satellite-derived water clarity and lake morphology from the Michigan Inland Lakes Water Clarity dataset (2018–2023, built on LAGOS-US), and fish-consumption advisory status (MiSWIMS) for Michigan reports.

Michigan's satellite clarity figures are remote-sensing estimates, not in-lake measurements — reports present them as modeled values. Public government data; no endorsement implied.

Michigan DNR

Michigan DNR website terms

Inland lake maps and fishing information linked from Michigan lake reports. Subject to the Michigan DNR website terms; no departmental endorsement implied.

MiCorps (Michigan Clean Water Corps)

Volunteer monitoring program data

Volunteer-collected in-situ Secchi clarity and chlorophyll-a readings for Michigan inland lakes, used to complement the satellite clarity record.

Data from the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program, with acknowledgment of its volunteer monitors.

Wisconsin DNR

Wisconsin DNR website terms

Wisconsin lake profiles, fish & regulations, clarity programs, and aquatic invasive-species status.

Provided under the Wisconsin DNR website terms: data is offered "as is," governed by Wisconsin law, and may not be used to imply departmental endorsement.

UMN LakeBrowser

University of Minnesota data service

Modeled Secchi-disk (water-clarity) time series that power our clarity-history charts.

Used with acknowledgment of the University of Minnesota.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

U.S. state public records

303(d) impaired-waters listings and TMDL status for Minnesota lakes, plus monitoring-station context for the water-quality section of the lake report.

Public government data; CabinClarity presents it for informational purposes with no endorsement implied.

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database

U.S. Government work · public domain (CC0)

Reported occurrences of non-native aquatic species, matched to a lake from county-level locality records. Presented as informational sightings — not an official state infestation listing — and not part of the Shoreline Score.

Data from the U.S. Geological Survey NAS database. Federal works are in the public domain; attribution encouraged.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

U.S. state public health guidance

Fish-consumption advice — statewide, regional, and lake-specific meal guidance linked from the report's "Eating fish" card.

Public health guidance produced by the State of Minnesota; linked in full so anglers always see the current official advice.

EPA Water Quality Portal

U.S. Government work · public domain (CC0)

Supplemental water-quality context. Federal government works are in the public domain and free for commercial use; attribution encouraged.

OpenStreetMap

Open Database License (ODbL)

Nearby points of interest — boat launches, marinas, restaurants, access points — and lake geometry, served through our self-hosted GeoDesk gateway built from the OSM US-Midwest extract.

© OpenStreetMap contributors. ODbL is an attribution + share-alike license: you may charge for your product, but any OSM-derived database that is publicly used must be made available. The OSM-derived dataset used by CabinClarity is available under ODbL on request — email [email protected].

Geocoders (Esri & US Census)

Provider terms of use

Turning a listing address or URL into map coordinates. Subject to each provider's terms of use.