Serpent

Serpent Lake is a 1,057-acre lake located in Crow Wing County. It spans the cities of Crosby on the west shore and Deerwood on the east. A public access is located in the Crosby city park on the west end. Another access is located just north of Deerwood on the east shore. Serpent reaches depths of 65' with 32% of the lake 15' deep or less. Water clarity was good with a secchi disk reading of 21'. Development is heavy along the 8.9 miles of shoreline. A 2009 survey found 31 species of aquatic plants. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Walleye fingerlings are stocked annually (338lbs/year) into Serpent. The Walleye gill net catch was average, when compared to similar lakes, at 3.7/gill net. Average length was 16.8". Northern Pike numbers were average at 3.9/gill net. Average length was 22.3" with 23% in the 22-26" protected slot. Northern Pike at least 26" in length made up an additional 23% of the catch. Largemouth Bass were sampled in high numbers at 2.4/gill net. Average length was 10.3". Smallmouth Bass were captured in average numbers at 0.7/gill net. Average length was 12.4". Black Crappies were caught in average numbers at 0.6/gill net. Average length was 9.9". Black Crappies at least 8" in length made up 71% of the catch. Zebra mussels are present in Serpent 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.

Serpent Lake is a 1,057 acre lake located in Crow Wing County. It spans the cities of Crosby on the west shore and Deerwood on the east. A public access is located in the Crosby city park on the west end. Another access is located just north of Deerwood on the east shore. Serpent reaches depths of 65' with 32% of the lake 15' deep or less. Water clarity was good with a secchi disk reading of 22.0'. Development is heavy along the 8.9 miles of shoreline. A 2009 survey found 31 species of aquatic plants. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Walleye fingerlings are stocked annually (338lbs/year) into Serpent. The Walleye gill net catch was above average, when compared to similar lakes, at 6.8/gill net. Average length was 16.5", with the largest Walleye measuring 31.0". Northern Pike numbers were average at 6.1/gill net. Average length was 19.8" with 11% in the 22"-26" protected slot. Northern Pike at least 26" in length made up 10% of the catch. Lakes in this part of the state have a new Northern Pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information. Largemouth Bass were sampled in high numbers at 3.0/gill net. Average length was 10.2". Smallmouth Bass were captured in average numbers at 0.8/gill net. Average length was 12.6". Black Crappies were caught in average numbers at 0.6/gill net, and 0.5/trap net. Average length was 9.9" for fish sampled in gill nets, and 8.4" for trap nets. Black Crappies up to 12.5" were sampled. For both gears combined 85% were 8" or greater in length. Bluegill numbers were average at 10.1/trap net. Bluegills ran on the small side with an average length of 4.9", and only 2% over 7" in length. Zebra mussels are present in Serpent 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.

Serpent Lake is a 1,057 acre lake located in Crow Wing County. It spans the cities of Crosby on the west shore and Deerwood on the east. A public access is located in the Crosby city park on the west end. Another access is located just north of Deerwood on the east shore. Serpent reaches depths of 65' with 32% of the lake 15' deep or less. Water clarity was good with a secchi disk reading of 20.0'. Development is heavy along the 8.9 miles of shoreline. A 2009 survey found 31 species of aquatic plants. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Walleye fingerlings are stocked into Serpent in odd-numbered years. All walleyes aged were from stocked years. The walleye gillnet catch was average, when compared to similar lakes, at 3.6/net. Average size was 17.4" and 2.1lbs, with the largest measuring 26.0". Northern pike numbers were above average at 9.0/gillnet. Average size was 20.5" and 2.1lbs. Some larger fish are present with 15% of northern pike being 24" or greater in length, the largest being 36.7". Voluntary catch and release of these larger fish will help keep a balanced northern pike population. Eight year classes were present, with 75% of the catch being from the 2011 and 2012 year classes. Largemouth bass were sampled by a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 154.5/hr. Average size length was 10.4", and 25% were 12" or greater. Largemouth were caught in above average numbers in gillnets at 2.1/net. Largemouth caught in gillnets averaged 11.9", with 56% measuring 12" or greater. Smallmouth bass were sampled during the spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 5.8/hr. Average length was 12.9" and 57% measured greater than 12" in length. Smallmouth were sampled in average numbers in gillnets at 1.3/net. Average length of these fish was 16.2" with 94% over 12" in length. Black crappies were caught in average numbers at 1.6/gillnet, and 0.5/trapnet. Average length was 7.3" for gillnet caught fish, and 8.8" for trapnets. Crappies up to 13.5" were sampled. For both gears combined 38% were 8" or greater in length. Bluegill numbers were below average at 7.2/trapnet. Bluegills ran on the small side with an average length of 5.1", and only 8% over 7" in length. No invasive species have been discovered in Serpent Lake at this time, but they are located in the area. 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, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike in Serpent. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Serpent has a maximum depth of 65 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Serpent is from 2023.

Yes — Serpent has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.