Minnesota · Crow Wing County
East Fox Lake Fishing guide
East Fox Lake is a 241-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 65 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 14.9 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 19 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2023Just a few0.7per gill net24"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2025Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2025Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2022Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2019Largemouth bassGood numbers58per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 111 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 111 fish
2025Lengths measured · 45 fish
2019Lengths measured · 11 fish
2013Lengths measured · 25 fish
2008Northern pikeGood numbers10.3per gill net19"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 63 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 63 fish
2025Lengths measured · 68 fish
2019Lengths measured · 70 fish
2013Lengths measured · 55 fish
2008BluegillJust a few6.1per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 757 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 506 fish
2025Lengths measured · 70 fish
2025Lengths measured · 181 fish
2022Lengths measured · 364 fish
2019CrappieJust a few1.2per trap net9"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 218 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 91 fish
2025Lengths measured · 12 fish
2025Lengths measured · 115 fish
2022Lengths measured · 52 fish
2019No recent survey rating.
Rock bassExcellent numbers1.7per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2025Lengths measured · 33 fish
2019Lengths measured · 29 fish
2013Lengths measured · 34 fish
2008Rates 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 Fox Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 14.9 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 65 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 14.9 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 65 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.
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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike | Walleye |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19" | 31" | 31" |
| 2022 | — | — | 28" |
| 2019 | 17" | 35" | 29" |
| 2013 | 16" | 34" | 26" |
| 2008 | 17" | 37" | 25" |
| 2001 | 17" | 35" | 23" |
| 1996 | 15" | 25" | 23" |
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:
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
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,150 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 400 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 850 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
East Fox is a reference lake for special Panfish regulations in place on Rogers Lake (18-0184) which calls for a daily limit of 5 on both Crappie and Sunfish. Trap netting is done every third spring to compare the results to Rogers which is netted at the same time. Black Crappies were also collected during spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass to supplement the sample.
Black Crappies ranged in length from 7.6 to 11.3 inches, with 47 percent over 10 inches. Bluegill ranged in length from 3.9 to 9.2 inches, with an average length of 7.7 inches. While we didn't see any trophies, a good portion of the Bluegills (38 percent) were over 8 inches.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
East Fox Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on East Fox 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 Fox Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
East Fox Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- West Fox Lake · 449 ac · 0.8 mi
- Eagle Lake · 350 ac · 1.4 mi
- Kego Lake · 296 ac · 1.8 mi
- Butterfield Lake · 194 ac · 2.4 mi
- Mitchell Lake · 429 ac · 2.6 mi
- Little Pine Lake · 330 ac · 2.9 mi
- Ox Lake · 241 ac · 3 mi
- Command Lake · 21 ac · 3.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is East Fox Lake?
East Fox Lake reaches 65 ft at its deepest point; about 42% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is East Fox Lake?
East Fox Lake covers 241 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in East Fox Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on East Fox Lake average 14.9 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in East Fox Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is East Fox Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does East Fox Lake have a public access?
Yes. East Fox Lake has one public access site: East Fox Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in East Fox Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 19"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was East Fox Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed East Fox Lake in 2025, the most recent of 19 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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