Kroon

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted by Hinckley fisheries staff on Kroon Lake on September 5, 2025. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish: Banded Kilifish, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. The nearshore survey data is combined with standard gill and trap netting survey data from previous Kroon Lake surveys to calculate a Fish IBI (FIBI) score and helps assess aquatic life in Kroon Lake. The FIBI score for Kroon Lake based on this survey is above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Kroon Lake is a 192-acre lake in southern Chisago County located two miles south of Lindstrom and is within the Lower St. Croix River Watershed. The lake has a maximum depth is 30 feet and an average depth of 5 feet. The lake is 78% littoral (15 feet or less, 150 acres). Water clarity ranges from 4 to 9 feet with an average of 5 feet. Its color is green due to algae blooms. Kroon Lake has an outlet stream to Chisago Lake on its western shore that flows through a culvert under Lakelawn Drive. A Vegetation Survey in 2017 showed that vegetation is dense, growing to a depth of 10 feet. Curlyleaf pondweed, a non-native invasive species, was present but only observed at 1% of locations sampled. Substrates consist primarily of sand (90%), with some muck (10%). The lake is moderately developed with 52 homes, which are located primarily on the western and southeastern shorelines. A small state-owned public access is located on the east side of the lake off County Highway 25 that accommodates 8 vehicles and trailers. There have been a total of ten fish surveys completed to monitor for changes in species composition, number, and length distribution. More recent surveys have occurred in 2004, 2009, 2017, and 2025. The current planned survey frequency is approximately every 8 years. Gamefish species that are best suited for the lake include Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill. Anglers fishing Kroon Lake can expect high numbers of medium size Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass, moderate numbers of Black Crappie, and high numbers of smaller Bluegills. A total of 98 Northern Pike were sampled in gill nets in 2025 which resulted in a catch rate of 16/net. This is the highest catch rate recorded for the lake and compares to the average of 10/net. Research indicates pike catch rates over 7.5/net are undesirable, as they are usually associated with higher density populations having poor size structure and slow growth. Higher pike densities can also have detrimental effects on stocked Walleye survival and perch populations. Perch are often a primary prey species. Lengths of pike caught in 2025 ranged from 18.4 to 32.1 inches and averaged 24.4 inches. The average length of pike sampled by gill nets in 2017 was 20.0 inches. Twenty-eight inch pike have been sampled in the last 7 surveys. This pike population has a slightly higher proportion of fish over 21 inches. Overall, anglers that fish Kroon Lake for pike can expect to catch high numbers of average sized pike with a chance of catching one over 28 inches. Boat electrofishing surveys are used to evaluate Largemouth Bass relative abundance and size structure. Nighttime electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was initiated in May of 1994 and was conducted for five consecutive surveys. The average nighttime electrofishing catch rate was 67/hour. The catch rate was 32/hour in 2025; however, bass were sampled during the day. Lengths of Largemouth Bass in 2025 ranged from 3.5 to 17.8 inches and averaged 11.0 inches. Largemouth Bass over 15 inches have been sampled in all surveys, while a bass over 20 inches was sampled in 2017. Kroon Lake consistently has average proportions of bass greater than 12 and 15 inches. The 2025 Black Crappie gillnet and trap net catches were above and below average in 2025. The gill net catch was 17/net in 2025 and compares to the average of 15/net, while the trap net catch was 1/net in 2025 and compares to the average of 5/net. Gill nets consistently sample crappies at a higher rate than trap nets in Kroon Lake. Crappie ranged in length from 4.4 to 11.0 inches and had an average length of 6.4 inches. Crappie over ten inches have been sampled in three of the ten surveys, while crappies over 12 inches have never been sampled. The three surveys with crappies over ten inches were 1999, 2017, and 2025. This population has consistently had a low proportion of fish over eight and ten inches. Overall, anglers that fish Kroon Lake for crappies can expect to catch moderate numbers of 8 to 10 inch crappies. Bluegill catch rates remained high in trap nets in 2025. The 2025 Bluegill trap net catch rate of 35/net compares to the average of 62/net. Kroon Lake has a history of high Bluegill numbers, as catch rates have exceeded 20/net in 6 of 10 surveys. Bluegill ranged from 3.0 to 7.7 inches with a 5.5 inch average. This compares to a 5.4 inch average in 2017. Bluegill over 8 inches were only sampled in two surveys. This population has average proportions of fish over 6 inches, but below average proportions of fish over 8 inches. Anglers targeting Bluegill on Kroon Lake can expect to catch high numbers of 6 to 7 inch fish. Walleye have never been stocked by the MN DNR but have been sampled in five of ten surveys. It is possible that Walleye migrate during a high-water period from Chisago Lake. Walleye gill net catches were 0.2/net in 2025, which is the same as the average of 0.2/net. One Walleye was sampled in the 2025 survey and measured 21.4 inches. Walleye over twenty inches have been sampled in 4 surveys, while Walleye over twenty-five inches were sampled in two surveys. Walleye numbers are too low for anglers to target them. Yellow Perch catch rates have remained consistently low throughout all surveys, which started in the 1960s. Gill net catch rates have only exceeded 4/net in three of ten surveys. Perch gill net catch rates were 1.5/net in 2025, which compares with the average of 2.3/net. Only nine perch were sampled in 2025 with both trap and gill nets combined and ranged from 5.7 to 7.8 inches. Perch over 10 inches have never been sampled in gill nets, while perch over 8 inches have only been sampled in one survey. The current perch population and its average size is likely too low and small to interest angers; however, they can be an important prey source for most gamefish targeted by anglers. Additional gamefish species sampled include Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bowfin (dogfish), and Green Sunfish.

Kroon is a 192 acre, moderately fertile lake located in southern Chisago County. Although most of the lake is littoral with a mean depth of 5 feet, it has never winter killed in recent history. The lake is assigned to lake class 24 and is managed primarily for Northern Pike. No stocking is conducted on this lake and all populations are self-sustaining. Electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass was conducted in May and nets were set in June. The previous survey was conducted in 2009. Gill nets sampled Northern Pike at a rate of 9.1 fish per net which exceeds the third quartile for the lake class. This rate was lower than the previous survey's rate of 12.8 fish per net. Mean weight also decreased from 4.47 lbs. to 1.82 lbs. This puts average size beneath the 25th percentile for the lake class. Fish ranged from 15.3 to 35.2 inches in length with an average of 20 inches. Only one fish exceeded 30 inches and only four exceeded 23 inches. One 39 inch long fish was sampled in the trap nets. All year classes from 2007 to 2014 were represented with the exception of 2008. Growth appears to be sufficient to produce larger fish but harvest may be playing a role in limiting the number of fish in the upper end of the population's size structure. Black Crappie were caught in low numbers averaging 1.1 fish per trap net. While the 4.6 fish per net catch in gill nets was higher, both are still lower than average for the lake class. Mean size in trap nets, 0.31 lbs., was about equal to the 75th percentile for the lake class. Fish ranged from 4.9 to 11.1 inches with a mean of 7.88. Catch of Black Crappies has historically been fairly low. Trap nets were often set in dense vegetation and may not have accurately reflected the abundance of crappies in this lake. Bluegill abundance was also low with a catch rate of 11.7 fish per net putting it below average for the lake class. Mean size was also low for the lake class. Fish ranged from 2.8 to 8.1 inches long and averaged 5.3 inches. Catch rates of Bluegill have been historically variable but this is the lowest recorded. Nighttime electrofishing sampled Largemouth Bass at a rate of 65 fish per hour. This was much lower than the previous surveys rate of 108 fish per hour but similar to other surveys. Mean weight on the other hand nearly doubled from .78 lbs. to 1.4 lbs. Bass ranged in length from 8.7 to 20.2 inches and averaged 13.43 inches. Fifty seven percent of fish were clustered between 12 and 15 inches long. Only one Yellow Perch was sampled in this survey which is consistent with historical catch rates. Walleye have been caught in very low numbers in previous surveys but none were observed this time. Other species sampled were; Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, and Bowfin.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Black Crappie, and Walleye in Kroon. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Kroon. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Kroon has a maximum depth of 30 feet and a mean depth of 5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Kroon is from 2025.

Yes — Kroon has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.