Minnesota · Crow Wing County
West Fox Lake Fishing guide
West Fox Lake is a 449-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 55 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 14.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 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 few0.9per gill net20"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 12 fish
2025Lengths measured · 3 fish
2022Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2019Lengths measured · 17 fish
2013Largemouth bassGood numbers59.4per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 185 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 177 fish
2025Lengths measured · 8 fish
2022Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2019Lengths measured · 14 fish
2013No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeFair numbers8.6per gill net19"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 87 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 80 fish
2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2022Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 94 fish
2019Lengths measured · 114 fish
2013BluegillJust a few8.2per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 171 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 89 fish
2025Lengths measured · 82 fish
2022Lengths measured · 112 fish
2019Lengths measured · 193 fish
2013CrappieJust a few1.4per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 50 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 44 fish
2025Lengths measured · 6 fish
2022Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 30 fish
2019Lengths measured · 30 fish
2013Rock bassOne of the best around3.2per seine haul7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 16 fish
2025Lengths measured · 17 fish
2022Lengths measured · 43 fish
2019Lengths measured · 25 fish
2013Rates 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 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 14.3 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 55 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 14.3 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 55 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 | 18" | 31" | 25" |
| 2022 | 17" | 26" | 16" |
| 2019 | 15" | 32" | 28" |
| 2013 | 15" | 31" | 28" |
| 2008 | 16" | 36" | 25" |
| 2001 | 14" | 29" | 23" |
| 1996 | 15" | 30" | 25" |
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 | 1,610 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 560 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,190 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
West Fox Lake is a 449-acre lake near the town of Fifty Lakes in Crow Wing County. There is no public access on West Fox Lake, however it is possible to navigate from East Fox Lake which has a public access on the west side of the lake. Northern Pike is the primary management species, with Walleye and
Largemouth Bass listed as secondary management species. The management plan calls for 69 pounds of Walleye fingerlings to be stocked annually. A standard survey using gill nets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing was conducted in July 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike numbers (8.6 per net) were down from previous surveys, with fish up to 32 inches captured. With 78% of the fish below the 22-to-26-inch protected slot, anglers should have good opportunities to harvest fish as well as a shot at a trophy with 11% of the fish above the slot. Releasing larger Pike is encouraged to help maintain the quality size.
The Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch in 2025 (90.0 per hour) was the first survey for the lake. Bass ranged in length from 5.1 to 17.2 inches with the average length of 11.1 inches.
The Walleye catch was the lowest recorded for the lake (0.9 per net), with the length ranging from 13.5 to 24.9 inches, with 88% of the fish measuring 20 inches or larger.
Bluegill numbers were the lowest recorded for the lake (7.3 per net), with 9 percent measuring 7 inches or larger and 2 percent 8 inches or larger.
Black Crappie numbers (2.1 per net) were up from previous surveys, with 49 percent measuring 8 inches or larger. Nice Crappies are present with 23% measuring 10 inches or larger.
Other species sampled in the latest survey include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
West Fox Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on West 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
- DNR access: Access through channel from East Fox.
DNR bathymetry
West Fox Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- East Fox Lake · 241 ac · 0.8 mi
- Kego Lake · 296 ac · 1.7 mi
- Eagle Lake · 350 ac · 2.1 mi
- Ox Lake · 241 ac · 2.6 mi
- Mitchell Lake · 429 ac · 3.1 mi
- Little Pine Lake · 330 ac · 3.1 mi
- Island Lake · 232 ac · 3.1 mi
- Butterfield Lake · 194 ac · 3.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is West Fox Lake?
West Fox Lake reaches 55 ft at its deepest point; about 31% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is West Fox Lake?
West Fox Lake covers 449 acres with about 5.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in West Fox Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on West Fox Lake average 14.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in West Fox Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is West Fox Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does West Fox Lake have a public access?
Yes. West Fox Lake has one public access site: DNR access (Access through channel from East Fox.).
How big do largemouth bass get in West Fox Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 18"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was West Fox Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed West Fox Lake in 2025, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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