Crystal

Crystal Lake is a 78-acre lake located in Robbinsdale. City parks are situated to the north and south of the lake, and both provide shore fishing access. The park to the north includes a fishing pier (Installed in 2019), and the park to the south includes a boat access with trailer parking. Crystal Lake is primarily a panfish lake and has been stocked with Tiger Muskellunge fingerlings every 2 to 4 years since 1994, most recently in 2017. The city of Robbinsdale maintains winter aerators to prevent winterkill, and has been working to reduce storm water input to Crystal Lake to improve the water quality. A flocculation plant (built in 2014) is in operation on the southern end of the lake to remove phosphorus. Crystal Lake is part of Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN). For more information about FiN, please visit: www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/fin. Bluegill and Black Crappie are the primary management species in Crystal Lake. Bluegill abundance was average when compared to similar lakes, but these fish were small at approximately 5 inches in length. No Bluegill greater than 7 inches were captured, and only 6% of fish sampled in 2022 were between 6-7 inches. Black Crappie were relatively abundant compared to similar lakes but were small as 71% of the fish sampled were between 5-6.5 inches in length. Only 1 individual was >9 inches. Yellow Perch were sampled in above average abundance, but the fish were small, averaging 0.08 pounds and just over 5.5 inches. Three Tiger Muskellunge were captured in gillnets, ranging from 34 to 40 inches and weighing 13.4 pounds on average. Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass, species noted from the earlier surveys, were not captured in 2022. Common Carp and Golden Shiner were abundant and captured in above average values. Other species sampled included Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, and Bowfin.

Crystal Lake is located in Robbinsdale with city parks on the north and south ends of the lake. Both parks provide shorefishing opportunities, and a fishing pier is located on the northern end of the lake. Boaters can access Crystal Lake at the public access on the southern end of the lake. Crystal Lake is primarily a panfish lake, and has been stocked with tiger muskellunge fingerlings every 2 to 4 years since 1994, most recently in 2001. The city of Robbinsdale maintains winter aerators to prevent winterkill, and has been working to reduce storm water input to Crystal Lake to improve the water quality. In addition, a shoreline restoration is planned in 2005 on the northern end of the lake. Small panfish dominate the fish community at Crystal Lake. Bluegills were sampled at an abundance above the 75th percentile for this lake type and were smaller than average. Bluegills had a mean length of 4.8 inches, and the largest individual was 6.9 inches. Black crappie abundance was lower than in previous surveys, but numbers were still above average when compared to similar lakes. The mean length of black crappies sampled was 6.1 inches, and only one fish larger than 8 inches was sampled. Northern pike were the most abundant predator species sampled in survey nets, but were less abundant than during the previous survey. The catch of 2.8 northern pike per gill net is just above the 25th percentile for class 30 lakes. The mean length and weight were 27.8 inches and 5.6 pounds. Four year-classes of northern pike were represented in the survey, ages 4 to 7. The average age of the northern pike sampled increased from 3.0 in 1998 to 5.3 in 2004. During the 1998 survey it was noted that historical northern pike spawning areas on the southern end of the lake had been filled, and the area converted to ball fields. Four tiger muskellunge from the 2001 stocking were sampled in gill nets, an average abundance of 0.67 fish per net. The tiger muskellunge had a mean length and weight of 29.3 inches and 6.6 pounds. Tiger muskellunge are a cross between a male northern pike and a female muskellunge. Largemouth bass were present in the trap net samples representing 3 year-classes. Growth rates were average.Important prey species in Crystal Lake are golden shiners and yellow perch. Golden shiners were the most abundant forage species. Yellow perch were also abundant, and were present in gill nets at a level just below the third quartile. The yellow perch sampled in gill nets had a mean length of 6.5 inches; growth was average.Yellow bullhead, white sucker, pumpkinseed sunfish, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, and one 18.1-inch walleye were also present in net samples. Eighteen painted turtles, 8 snapping turtles, and 1 exotic eastern slider turtle were sampled.For more information about the FiN program or to see what FiN has done in your neighborhood, please visit us at: www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/fin.

Black Crappie were sampled in the highest abundance of all species present in Crystal Lake. Overall abundance has increased slightly from that observed in 1993. The average size of Black Crappie sampled was 7.1 inches and the average rate was 5 fish per pound. Only one crappie above nine inches was captured. Bluegills have decreased in abundance since 1993, but are still present in above average numbers. The average size of Bluegill captured was 5.8 inches in length and these fish ran approximately 6 fish per pound. Pumpkinseed Sunfish have increased in abundance since 1993, but are only 4.7 inches long on the average. Northern Pike have shown a significant increase in abundance since 1993, but they average only 22 inches in length. Two Hybrid Muskies from the 1994 stocking were captured, and these fish exhibited good growth rates and a good length to weight ratio. Crystal Lake contains an above average abundance of forage. Golden Shiners averaging 6.2 inches long and Yellow Perch averaging 6.4 inches long were both observed in increased abundance since 1993. No Goldfish were captured in 1998, however, Carp were captured for the first time in this lake.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Crystal. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Crystal has a maximum depth of 39 feet and a mean depth of 9.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Crystal is from 2022.

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