Minnesota · DNR survey data

Hay Lake

Hay Lake covers 129 acres in Aitkin County, running to 32 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2025. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.

Open Hay Lake in the live map → Write a report

DNR survey data

Fish species

Species
How many
Survey numbers
Lengths
Walleye
No recent survey rating

No recent survey rating.

Largemouth bass
Just a few
2.5per hr (electrofishing)
Typical
14"Biggest
Northern pike
Fair numbers
8per gill net
23"Typical
28"Biggest
15"28"

Lengths measured · 41 fish

Recent · 2024
6"10"15"20"25"30"35"

Lengths measured · 41 fish

2024
6"10"15"20"25"30"35"

Lengths measured · 39 fish

2013
6"10"15"20"25"30"35"

Lengths measured · 43 fish

2004
6"10"15"20"25"30"35"

Lengths measured · 60 fish

1994
6"10"15"20"25"30"35"
Bluegill
Just a few
9.4per trap net
6"Typical
9"Biggest
3"9"

Lengths measured · 92 fish

Recent · 2024
0"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 92 fish

2024
0"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 213 fish

2013
0"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 544 fish

2004
0"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 418 fish

1994
0"2"4"6"8"9"
Crappie
Just a few
2.7per trap net
5"Typical
9"Biggest
4"9"

Lengths measured · 99 fish

Recent · 2024
1"2"4"6"8"10"12"

Lengths measured · 99 fish

2024
1"2"4"6"8"10"12"

Lengths measured · 51 fish

2013
1"2"4"6"8"10"12"

Lengths measured · 40 fish

2004
1"2"4"6"8"10"12"

Lengths measured · 50 fish

1994
1"2"4"6"8"10"12"
Yellow perch
Just a few
1per gill net
Typical
6"Biggest

Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.

Recent reports

Hay Lake fishing reports

Recent reports on Hay 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.

Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report

Aitkin County reports

Public water access

Getting on the water

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is there a depth map for Hay Lake?

The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Hay Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.

What fish are in Hay Lake?

The most recent DNR survey (2025) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.

Does Hay Lake have a public access?

Yes. Hay Lake has one public access site: Hay Lake (S) (trailer launch).

Is Hay Lake stocked?

No stocking is on record for Hay Lake in the DNR's stocking database.

When was Hay Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Hay Lake in 2025, the most recent of 8 surveys on record.

Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →

Page updated .