Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Hanks Lake Fishing guide
Hanks Lake covers 165 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 45 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 14 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassGood numbers54per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 83 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 83 fish
2023Lengths measured · 5 fish
2016Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 155 fish
2012Lengths measured · 82 fish
2006Northern pikeGood numbers12.3per gill net18"Typical38"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 80 fish
2023Lengths measured · 81 fish
2016Lengths measured · 93 fish
2012Lengths measured · 140 fish
2006BluegillJust a few16.7per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 151 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 151 fish
2023Lengths measured · 1 fish
2016Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 434 fish
2012Lengths measured · 105 fish
2006CrappieJust a few2per trap net8"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 19 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2016Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 25 fish
2012Lengths measured · 13 fish
2006Rates 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 Hanks 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 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 45 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 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 45 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 16" | 38" | 30" |
| 2016 | 15" | 33" | 23" |
| 2012 | 19" | 35" | 28" |
| 2006 | 19" | 37" | 28" |
| 1994 | 3" | 29" | 20" |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 600 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 612 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 603 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 525 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Hanks Lake is a 161 acre lake located 5 miles northwest of Garrison in Crow Wing County. The lake reaches depths of 45', with areas 15' or less making up 30% of the lake. Water clarity is good with a secchi disk reading of 14'. Hanks can be reached through a channel from Crooked Lake.
The Northern Pike gill net catch of 12.3/net was high when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 21.4", with 16% in the protected 22-26" slot. Northern Pike at least 26" in length made up 24% of the catch. Voluntary catch and release of these few larger fish can help create a more balanced population.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye stocking has been attempted in the past, but return has been poor and thus Walleyes are not currently stocked by the DNR into Hanks. However, Walleyes are stocked by the lake association under a DNR permit. The Walleye gill net catch of 1.0/net was below average when compared to similar lakes. The average length of 27.0" was impressive, with fish up to 30.9" sampled. High Northern Pike and low Yellow Perch numbers limit successful walleye management.
Largemouth Bass were sampled by spring electrofishing at a rate of 160.0/hr run time. Average length was 11.9", with 44% at least 12" in length. Largemouth Bass were sampled in average numbers in gill nets at 0.5/net. Average length was 13.3".
Black Crappie were sampled in average numbers in trap nets (2.0/net). Average length was 8.7" with 67% at least 8" in length. Fish up to 12.9" were sampled. Bluegills were sampled in average number at 16.7/trap net. Average length was 6.2", with 25% at least 7" in length.
Tullibee (cisco) were sampled in extremely high numbers at 28.2/gill net. Average length was 11.4". Tullibee (cisco) are an important forage fish for larger Northern Pike and Walleyes. They can also provide a unique fishing opportunity. Most fishing for Tullibee (cisco) is done through the ice.
Eurasian Watermilfoil has been discovered in Hanks Lake. Before and after launching, lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Hanks Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Hanks 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
- Public access: Access is via the channel from Crooked Lake on the southeast end.
DNR bathymetry
Hanks Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Portage Lake · 287 ac · 0.7 mi
- Crooked Lake · 463 ac · 1 mi
- Clearwater Lake · 906 ac · 2.8 mi
- Bay Lake · 2,330 ac · 2.9 mi
- Partridge Lake · 188 ac · 3.1 mi
- Nokay Lake · 704 ac · 3.4 mi
- Turtle Lake · 108 ac · 3.7 mi
- Borden Lake · 1,011 ac · 4.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Hanks Lake?
Hanks Lake reaches 45 ft at its deepest point; about 30% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Hanks Lake?
Hanks Lake covers 165 acres with about 2.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Hanks Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Hanks Lake average 14 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Hanks Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Hanks Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Hanks Lake have a public access?
Yes. Hanks Lake has one public access site: Public access (Access is via the channel from Crooked Lake on the southeast end.).
How big do largemouth bass get in Hanks Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 16"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Hanks Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Hanks Lake in 2023, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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