Minnesota · Hubbard County
East Crooked Lake Fishing guide
East Crooked Lake sits in Hubbard County, Minnesota, and covers 379 acres, reaching 96 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 18.9 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Excellent numbers7.7per gill net14"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 69 fish
2022Lengths measured · 80 fish
2017Lengths measured · 80 fish
2012Lengths measured · 77 fish
2007Largemouth bassFair numbers33.2per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 124 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 116 fish
2022Lengths measured · 8 fish
2021Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 59 fish
2017Lengths measured · 9 fish
2012Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Smallmouth bassOne of the best around49per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 162 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 162 fish
2022Lengths measured · 112 fish
2017Lengths measured · 33 fish
2012Lengths measured · 19 fish
2007Northern pikeJust a few4.6per gill net20"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 44 fish
2022Lengths measured · 1 fish
2021Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 17 fish
2017Lengths measured · 22 fish
2012BluegillJust a few13.8per trap net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 302 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 149 fish
2022Lengths measured · 153 fish
2021Lengths measured · 274 fish
2017Lengths measured · 353 fish
2012CrappieJust a few1per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 31 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 14 fish
2022Lengths measured · 17 fish
2021Lengths measured · 43 fish
2017Lengths measured · 48 fish
2012Rock bassExcellent numbers5.3per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 72 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022Lengths measured · 49 fish
2022Lengths measured · 23 fish
2021Lengths measured · 44 fish
2017Lengths measured · 58 fish
2012Rates 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 East Crooked Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 18.9 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 96 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.
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn. At 18.9 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks. On a lake that drops to 96 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
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 | Smallmouth bass | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 31" | 20" | 17" |
| 2021 | — | — | 14" |
| 2017 | 30" | 20" | 20" |
| 2012 | 30" | 18" | 18" |
| 2007 | 31" | 18" | 17" |
| 2001 | 30" | 18" | 16" |
| 1996 | 29" | — | 11" |
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
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 829 fingerlings · 41 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 4,840 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 2,544 yearlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 7,625 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 634 fingerlings · 614 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
East Crooked is located five miles north of Nevis in central Hubbard County. East Crooked has a surface area of 379 acres and a maximum depth of 96 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the north end of the lake off Heritage Road. East Crooked is a clear-water lake with exceptional water quality. East Crooked is best known its Walleye population, but also provides opportunities for Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Panfish.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. East Crooked is in lake class 23. Class 23 lakes are generally clear, deep lakes with hard water and a small littoral zone (area of lake less than 15 feet in depth). Other class 23 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include Blue, Boot, and Eleventh Crow Wing Lake.
Read the full DNR narrative
Present and past surveys have shown that East Crooked supports a healthy Walleye population. Anglers will find good numbers of Walleye in the 14-20 inch size range. Big Walleyes are found in East Crooked with Walleye measured up to 31.1 inches. East Crooked has a Tullibee (Cisco) and Yellow Perch populations that provide an excellent forage base for producing large Walleye. Yellow Perch numbers have been down in recent surveys.
East Crooked has a low to moderate Northern Pike population composed of medium to large-size fish. Sampled Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 20.8 inches and 2.1 lbs with fish measured up to 26.9 inches. Low to moderate Northern Pike numbers and a Tullibee (Cisco) population provide the conditions to produce large pike.
While not know as a "bass-panfish" lake, East Crooked does supply angling opportunities for these species. Anglers will find moderate to high Smallmouth Bass population and moderate Largemouth Bass population in East Crooked. Good numbers of Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass in the 12-15 inch size range were sampled with Smallmouth Bass sampled up to 20.7 inches. East Crooked supports a moderate panfish population comprised of Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. The Black Cappie population in East Crooked fluctuated from low to moderate numbers. Black Crappie up to 13.7 inches were sampled. Anglers will find Bluegill and Pumpkinseed in the 6-7 inch size range.
Other species sampled included Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, and Hybrid Sunfish.
Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in East Crooked. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals form their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the lake.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
East Crooked Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on East 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
- East Crooked Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
East Crooked Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Middle Crooked Lake · 289 ac · 1.2 mi
- Indian Lake · 51 ac · 1.8 mi
- Waboose Lake · 175 ac · 1.9 mi
- Crow Wing Lake · 47 ac · 2.3 mi
- West Crooked Lake · 270 ac · 2.7 mi
- Spider Lake · 570 ac · 2.8 mi
- Owl Lake · 90 ac · 3.7 mi
- Dead Lake · 131 ac · 3.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is East Crooked Lake?
East Crooked Lake reaches 96 ft at its deepest point; about 32% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is East Crooked Lake?
East Crooked Lake covers 379 acres with about 4.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in East Crooked Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on East Crooked Lake average 18.9 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in East Crooked Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is East Crooked Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does East Crooked Lake have a public access?
Yes. East Crooked Lake has one public access site: East Crooked Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in East Crooked Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 31"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was East Crooked Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed East Crooked Lake in 2022, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for East Crooked Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open East Crooked Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report