Minnesota · Hubbard County
West Crooked Lake Fishing guide
West Crooked Lake is a 270-acre lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota, reaching 50 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 16.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Northern pikeGood numbers12per gill net17"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 75 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 75 fish
2022Lengths measured · 5 fish
2020Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 100 fish
2017Lengths measured · 88 fish
2012BluegillJust a few14per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 149 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 149 fish
2022Lengths measured · 97 fish
2020Lengths measured · 360 fish
2017Lengths measured · 285 fish
2012CrappieJust a few9.1per trap net8"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 98 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 98 fish
2022Lengths measured · 11 fish
2020Lengths measured · 27 fish
2017Lengths measured · 31 fish
2012Yellow perchGood numbers6.7per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 42 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 42 fish
2022Lengths measured · 18 fish
2020Lengths measured · 23 fish
2017Lengths measured · 27 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 West Crooked Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 16.2 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 50 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.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 16.2 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 50 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.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 36" | 25" | 15" |
| 2020 | 20" | 18" | 10" |
| 2017 | 37" | 27" | 19" |
| 2012 | 32" | 28" | 17" |
| 2007 | 37" | 27" | 17" |
| 2002 | 32" | 26" | 17" |
| 1997 | 35" | 27" | — |
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:
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
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 | 887 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 4,408 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 40 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 86 yearlings · 152 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 714 fingerlings · 154 yearlings · 140 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 352 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 281 fingerlings · 232 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
West Crooked is located seven miles north of Nevis in central Hubbard County. West Crooked has a surface area of 269 acres and a maximum depth of 50 feet. There is a county-owned public access located on the west shore of the lake. West Crooked provides angling opportunities for panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and a bonus Walleye population.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 42 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. West Crooked is in lake class 25. Class 25 lakes are generally deep, clear, hard water lakes, with irregular shaped shorelines. Other class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Bad Axe, Belle Taine, Eagle, Little Sand, Third Crow Wing, Island, Little Mantrap, and Ojibway.
Read the full DNR narrative
Panfish are a popular choice for anglers on West Crooked with good populations of Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. Anglers will find Black Crappie in the 9-10 inch size range and Bluegill in the 6-8 inch size range. West Crooked supports a healthy Largemouth Bass fishery, with good numbers and sizes of Largemouth Bass. Good water quality, aquatic vegetation cover, and spawning substrate provide excellent habitat for Largemouth Bass and panfish in West Crooked. Present and past surveys have shown an abundant Northern Pike population in West Crooked with the population dominated by smaller pike under 21 inches in length. Larger Northern Pike are present with fish measured up to 36.8 inches. Walleye were sampled in low numbers. Past surveys have shown the Walleye population to fluctuate from low to moderate levels.
Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in West Crooked. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the lake.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
West Crooked Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on West 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
- West Crooked Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
West Crooked Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Dead Lake · 131 ac · 1.3 mi
- Middle Crooked Lake · 289 ac · 1.5 mi
- Ojibway Lake · 184 ac · 1.9 mi
- Upper Bottle Lake · 459 ac · 2.2 mi
- Crow Wing Lake · 47 ac · 2.2 mi
- East Crooked Lake · 379 ac · 2.7 mi
- Waboose Lake · 175 ac · 2.9 mi
- Spider Lake · 570 ac · 3.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is West Crooked Lake?
West Crooked Lake reaches 50 ft at its deepest point; about 53% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is West Crooked Lake?
West Crooked Lake covers 270 acres with about 4.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in West Crooked Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on West Crooked Lake average 16.2 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in West Crooked Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is West Crooked Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does West Crooked Lake have a public access?
Yes. West Crooked Lake has one public access site: West Crooked Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in West Crooked Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 36"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was West Crooked Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed West 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 West Crooked Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open West Crooked Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report