Crooked
A 244-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County — best known for trout and pike. Last surveyed 2016.
Fish Species (4)
Lake Trout
Above-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2016 | 4.00 | 18.5" | 2.43 lbs |
| Jul 16, 1997 | 2.20 | 18.3" | 2.34 lbs |
| Jul 20, 1992 | 3.67 | - | 2.62 lbs |
Northern Pike
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.2 per gill net · typical 0.6–2.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 1997 | 0.20 | 20.0" | 1.73 lbs |
Other species in this lake (2)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 0.8–5.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2016 | 1.50 | 17.2" | 2.33 lbs |
| Jul 16, 1997 | 3.20 | 17.8" | 1.73 lbs |
| Jul 20, 1992 | 1.33 | - | 2.90 lbs |
Iowa Darter
Seining survey · surveyed Jun 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2016 | 0.25 | - | - |
Biologist Notes
August 6, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Crooked Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and qual…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Crooked Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 30.5 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 55.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 25.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 6.4 degrees C (43.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. This is the first survey completed on Crooked Lake during the late summer thermal stress period, however, data collected outside the thermal maximum period from 1980-2016 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable conditions were recorded in 2016 when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 20.7 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 6, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Crooked Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and qual…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Crooked Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 30.5 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 55.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 25.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 6.4 degrees C (43.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. This is the first survey completed on Crooked Lake during the late summer thermal stress period, however, data collected outside the thermal maximum period from 1980-2016 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable conditions were recorded in 2016 when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 20.7 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 6, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Crooked Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and qual…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Crooked Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 30.5 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 55.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 25.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 6.4 degrees C (43.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. This is the first survey completed on Crooked Lake during the late summer thermal stress period, however, data collected outside the thermal maximum period from 1980-2016 indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during those sampling periods. The least favorable conditions were recorded in 2016 when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 20.7 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Crooked?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout and Northern Pike in Crooked. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Crooked?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Crooked. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Crooked?
Crooked has a maximum depth of 66 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Crooked last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Crooked is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Crooked have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Crooked in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
More lakes in Cook County
View allLake Details
- Surface Area
- 244.35 acres
- Max Depth
- 66 ft
- Shoreline
- 9.11 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed