Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Cross Lake Reservoir Fishing guide
Cross Lake Reservoir is a 1,815-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 84 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 16.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 16 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers1.9per gill net16"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 57 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 1 fish
2024Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 35 fish
2024Lengths measured · 18 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2022Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassPresent3.6per gill net10"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 121 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 71 fish
2024Lengths measured · 50 fish
2021Lengths measured · 55 fish
2018Lengths measured · 79 fish
2011Northern pikeGood numbers12.3per gill net19"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 384 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 234 fish
2024Lengths measured · 150 fish
2021Lengths measured · 242 fish
2018Lengths measured · 258 fish
2011BluegillFair numbers26.5per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 530 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 478 fish
2024Lengths measured · 52 fish
2021Lengths measured · 548 fish
2018Lengths measured · 452 fish
2011CrappieJust a few1.5per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 33 fish
2024Lengths measured · 8 fish
2021Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 40 fish
2018Lengths measured · 33 fish
2011Yellow perchFair numbers3per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 90 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 35 fish
2024Lengths measured · 55 fish
2021Lengths measured · 53 fish
2018Lengths measured · 27 fish
2011Rock bassExcellent numbers4.9per gill net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 158 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 96 fish
2024Lengths measured · 62 fish
2021Lengths measured · 81 fish
2018Lengths measured · 103 fish
2011Rates 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 Cross Lake Reservoir through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 16.5 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 84 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 16.5 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 84 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.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33" | 28" | 17" |
| 2023 | — | 11" | — |
| 2022 | — | 26" | — |
| 2021 | 30" | 26" | 18" |
| 2018 | 33" | 29" | 18" |
| 2011 | 35" | 31" | 17" |
| 2010 | — | 12" | — |
| 2005 | 34" | 30" | 14" |
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:
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
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 880,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 880,000 fry · 1,597 fingerlings · 3,250 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 880,000 fry · 938 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 880,000 fry · 37,518 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 880,000 fry |
| 2020 | Walleye | 939 yearlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 880,000 fry · 15,200 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 880,000 fry · 1,668 fingerlings · 3,004 yearlings · 380 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 880,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 880,000 fry · 1,103 fingerlings · 1,009 yearlings · 951 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Walleyes have been stocked into Cross Lake on a regular basis since 1948. The current management plan calls for annual fry stocking at a rate of 1,000/littoral acre (880,000 fry) and fingerling stockings in even numbered years at a rate of 1 pound per littoral acre (880 pounds). Night electrofishing was done on September 23rd, 2024, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours in which no YOY Walleyes caught. Past catch rates of YOY Walleyes have been as high as 6.5 fish/hour. One non-YOY Walleye was sampled measuring 13.6".
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Cross Lake Reservoir fishing reports
Recent reports on Cross Lake Reservoir 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
- Cross Lake #1 (trailer launch)
- Cross Lake #2 (trailer launch)
- Crosslake Lake Public Water Access (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Cross Lake Reservoir depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Pleasant Lake · 22 ac · 0.8 mi
- Little Star Lake · 49 ac · 1.8 mi
- Star Lake · 128 ac · 1.9 mi
- Pine Lake · 324 ac · 2.1 mi
- Rush Lake · 858 ac · 2.1 mi
- Bass Lake · 121 ac · 2.6 mi
- Daggett Lake · 258 ac · 2.6 mi
- Pig Lake · 196 ac · 2.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Cross Lake Reservoir?
Cross Lake Reservoir reaches 84 ft at its deepest point; about 48% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Cross Lake Reservoir?
Cross Lake Reservoir covers 1,815 acres with about 21.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Cross Lake Reservoir?
DNR Secchi readings on Cross Lake Reservoir average 16.5 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Cross Lake Reservoir?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Cross Lake Reservoir stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Cross Lake Reservoir have a public access?
Yes. Cross Lake Reservoir has 3 public access sites, including Cross Lake #1 (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Cross Lake Reservoir?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 33"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2005.
When was Cross Lake Reservoir last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Cross Lake Reservoir in 2024, the most recent of 16 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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