West Fox

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. 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.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basin in West Fox Lake on August 2, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.5 degrees C (70.7 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 3.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 16.4 degrees C (61.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of this survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2008-2022 during the late summer thermal stress period indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basin in West Fox Lake on August 2, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.5 degrees C (70.7 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 3.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 16.4 degrees C (61.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of this survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2008-2022 during the late summer thermal stress period indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

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

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

West Fox has a maximum depth of 55 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

No invasive species are on record for West Fox in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.