Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Serpent Lake Fishing guide
Serpent Lake is a 1,116-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 65 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 19.1 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.7per gill net18"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 44 fish
2023Lengths measured · 92 fish
2020Lengths measured · 57 fish
2014Lengths measured · 76 fish
2008Largemouth bassPresent2.4per gill net9"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 29 fish
2023Lengths measured · 44 fish
2020Lengths measured · 216 fish
2014Lengths measured · 139 fish
2008Northern pikeJust a few3.9per gill net20"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 47 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 47 fish
2023Lengths measured · 85 fish
2020Lengths measured · 116 fish
2014Lengths measured · 91 fish
2008BluegillPresent2.4per gill net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 29 fish
2023Lengths measured · 147 fish
2020Lengths measured · 173 fish
2014Lengths measured · 285 fish
2008Rock bassOne of the best around11.6per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 139 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 139 fish
2023Lengths measured · 130 fish
2020Lengths measured · 147 fish
2014Lengths measured · 149 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 Serpent Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 19.1 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 65 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 19.1 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.
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 | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24" | 17" | 17" |
| 2020 | 30" | 14" | 18" |
| 2014 | 25" | 16" | 17" |
| 2008 | 27" | 18" | 18" |
| 2002 | 27" | 19" | 17" |
| 1997 | 27" | 17" | 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:
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
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
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 | 400,000 fry · 4,008 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 6,936 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,429 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 16,384 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 8,112 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 5,400 fingerlings · 304 yearlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 400,000 fry · 4,876 fingerlings · 950 yearlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 3,758 fingerlings · 297 yearlings · 191 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 9,600 fingerlings · 641 yearlings · 11 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Serpent Lake is a 1,057-acre lake located in Crow Wing County. It spans the cities of Crosby on the west shore and Deerwood on the east. A public access is located in the Crosby city park on the west end. Another access is located just north of Deerwood on the east shore. Serpent reaches depths of 65' with 32% of the lake 15' deep or less. Water clarity was good with a secchi disk reading of 21'. Development is heavy along the 8.9 miles of shoreline. A 2009 survey found 31 species of aquatic plants. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
Walleye fingerlings are stocked annually (338lbs/year) into Serpent. The Walleye gill net catch was average, when compared to similar lakes, at 3.7/gill net. Average length was 16.8".
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike numbers were average at 3.9/gill net. Average length was 22.3" with 23% in the 22-26" protected slot. Northern Pike at least 26" in length made up an additional 23% of the catch.
Largemouth Bass were sampled in high numbers at 2.4/gill net. Average length was 10.3". Smallmouth Bass were captured in average numbers at 0.7/gill net. Average length was 12.4".
Black Crappies were caught in average numbers at 0.6/gill net. Average length was 9.9". Black Crappies at least 8" in length made up 71% of the catch.
Zebra mussels are present in Serpent 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
Serpent Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Serpent 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
- Serpent Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- Serpent Lake (W) (trailer launch)
- Serpent Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Serpent Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Manuel Mine Lake · 41 ac · 1.3 mi
- Portsmouth Mine Lake · 149 ac · 2 mi
- Black Lake · 106 ac · 2.1 mi
- Pennington Mine Lake · 62 ac · 2.6 mi
- Ann Lake · 47 ac · 2.7 mi
- Clinker Lake · 81 ac · 3 mi
- Lookout Lake · 237 ac · 3.2 mi
- Mahnomen, Alstead & Arco Mine Lake · 272 ac · 3.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Serpent Lake?
Serpent Lake reaches 65 ft at its deepest point; about 30% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Serpent Lake?
Serpent Lake covers 1,116 acres with about 9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Serpent Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Serpent Lake average 19.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Serpent Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Serpent Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Serpent Lake have a public access?
Yes. Serpent Lake has 3 public access sites, including Serpent Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Serpent Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was Serpent Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Serpent Lake in 2023, the most recent of 11 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 Serpent Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Serpent Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report