Crooked

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Crooked Lake was conducted in June and August 14, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at five stations. One station was not seined due to dense vegetation making site traversal difficult. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one species tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). A June 2025 trap net survey was also conducted by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured ten species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Brown Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number and Biomass The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Crooked Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the exceptional use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes.These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Crooked Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Crooked Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Crooked Lake was conducted on July 10, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations and a 15-foot seine was used at one station. Nearshore sampling captured twenty species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mottled Sculpin, Pugnose Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Crooked Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that Crooked Lake fully supported aquatic life use based on the FIBI. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Brainerd Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Crooked Lake is a unique body of water that has many bays and points and is connected to Hanks and Portage via channel. The stretches of lightly developed shoreline along with numerous pine trees give you a true "up north" feel. The access on the SW corner does launch into a shallow, muddier part of the lake so that may limit the size or type of boat people are comfortable putting in. Water was especially low in 2023 due to the drought conditions and made access into at least Portage Lake difficult to impossible for some boats. Northern Pike (7.4/gill net) and Largemouth Bass (78.0/hour electrofishing) are two species offering a good opportunity to anglers. Many of the Northern Pike were of decent size, with 27% measuring over 26" and fish up to 38.2" captured. Average size of the Largemouth Bass was 11.7" and 43% of the fish were over 12". Fish up to 19.7" were caught. A few Smallmouth Bass are also present in Crooked, with two being caught during spring electrofishing. These fish were small at 7.0" and 9.1". Walleyes have been stocked by the Lake Association since 2008, but they haven't shown up in the surveys much. Only six were captured in the 2023 summer survey (0.7/gill net) and this is below average for this type of lake. Most of these fish were large, with 83% measuring 12" or larger. Panfish are present as well and may offer decent angling opportunities. Black Crappies were caught in high numbers for this type of lake (4.3/trap net). Average size was 8.0" and of all Crappies sampled in the survey, 52% were 8" or larger. Bluegill numbers were one of the lowest recorded for Crooked Lake at 13.1/trap net, but that was still average for this lake type. Size of these fish was decent and could provide some harvest with an average length of 6.5" and 42% measuring 7" or larger. Tullibee (Cisco) were sampled in high numbers at 13.0/gill net and had an average length of 13.1". Tullibee (Cisco) are an important forage fish for larger northern Pike and walleyes. They can also provide a unique fishing opportunity. Most fishing for Tullibee (Cisco) is done through the ice. Eurasian Watermilfoil is present in Crooked 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.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Walleye in Crooked. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Crooked has a maximum depth of 72 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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