Minnesota · Itasca County
Crooked Lake Fishing guide
Crooked Lake sits in Itasca County, Minnesota, and covers 465 acres, reaching 60 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Northern pikeJust a few2.2per gill net21"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 26 fish
2025Lengths measured · 23 fish
2015Lengths measured · 51 fish
2005Lengths measured · 60 fish
1999BluegillJust a few9.3per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 92 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 92 fish
2025Lengths measured · 98 fish
2015Lengths measured · 72 fish
2005Lengths measured · 96 fish
1999CrappieJust a few3.9per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 84 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 84 fish
2025Lengths measured · 25 fish
2015Lengths measured · 61 fish
2005Lengths measured · 77 fish
1999Yellow perchGood numbers5.3per gill net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 50 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 50 fish
2025Lengths measured · 38 fish
2015Lengths measured · 96 fish
2005Lengths measured · 56 fish
1999Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Crooked Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 60 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 60 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23" | 16" | 34" |
| 2015 | 25" | 13" | 34" |
| 2005 | 23" | — | 37" |
| 1999 | 27" | 6" | 39" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,080 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Crooked Lake is about 8 miles north of Marble and covers 418 acres. About a quarter of the lake is shallow water where vegetation can grow, and the deepest spot is 60 feet. Water clarity in 2025 was about 4.5 feet, which falls in the middle of what has been observed in past surveys. The Prairie River flows through the northwest corner. Anglers have two public accesses: a state access on the northwest shore off County Road 336 and a county access on the southeast basin off County Road 8.
Northern pike are one of the main species managed in this lake. In the most recent survey, pike numbers were a little lower than the lake average, but the fish that were present tend to have decent size. Pike measured between 13 and 34 inches, averaging about 22 inches. About a third of the fish were in the North-central Zone protected 22-26 inch slot, and a small number were over 28 inches. Growth was about average, with pike reaching around 21 inches by age 4. Overall, anglers can expect a chance at quality-sized fish, just not high numbers.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye numbers remain on the low side, which has been typical for this lake. The latest catch rate was below both the lake average and management goal. Walleye numbers have been below expectations in most surveys. Fish sampled ranged from 11 to 24 inches, averaging 16 inches. Growth was average, with fish reaching about 15 inches by age 4. Walleye natural reproduction has been well documented, and past stockings has not consistently boosted numbers. Anglers should not expect fast action, but there are some keeper-sized fish available.
Black crappie numbers were strong in the latest survey, higher than both the lake average and the previous survey. Most crappies measured between 4 and 11 inches, averaging about 7.5 inches. Fish over 10 inches are uncommon. Crappies show steady year classes, and growth catches up to average by about age 5. Anglers can expect decent numbers, though most fish will be under 10 inches.
Bluegill catches were moderate and similar to past surveys. However, most fish are small. Bluegills ranged from 3 to just over 8 inches, averaging about 5 inches. Few fish exceeded 8 inches. Growth is a bit slower than average, with Bluegills taking about 6 years to reach 6 inches. Expect steady action but limited size.
Yellow perch numbers continue to run below average. Most perch were between 5 and 8 inches, averaging about 6 inches, and size quality is low. These fish are generally small and may not draw much angler interest.
Tullibee (cisco) have declined over the long term, and only one fish was caught in the latest survey. However, lakes like this are not known for high Tullibee numbers.
Other species present include Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Brown and Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, Shorthead and Silver Redhorse, Bowfin, and Golden Shiner.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Crooked Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Crooked Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Crooked Lake (N) (trailer launch)
- Crooked Lake, Hwy 56 (carry-in)
DNR bathymetry
Crooked Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Nashwauk Lake · 168 ac · 1.3 mi
- Bray Lake · 177 ac · 2.2 mi
- Lawrence Lake · 437 ac · 2.5 mi
- Snaptail Lake · 175 ac · 2.7 mi
- Lower Lawrence Lake · 152 ac · 3.6 mi
- Lower Balsam Lake · 259 ac · 3.8 mi
- Big McCarthy Lake · 105 ac · 4 mi
- Big Sucker Lake · 259 ac · 5.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Crooked Lake?
Crooked Lake reaches 60 ft at its deepest point; about 22% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Crooked Lake?
Crooked Lake covers 465 acres with about 8.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Crooked Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Crooked Lake average 6 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Crooked Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Crooked Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2016.
Does Crooked Lake have a public access?
Yes. Crooked Lake has 2 public access sites, including Crooked Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Crooked Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 23"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1999.
When was Crooked Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Crooked Lake in 2025, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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