Eleventh Crow Wing

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Eleventh Crow Wing Lake was conducted on August 9-10, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Nearshore sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all fourteen sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at five stations due to the site conditions (soft sediments and dense vegetation). Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass) and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2021 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, Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Common Carp and Green Sunfish). 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. Data from this survey indicates Eleventh Crow Wing Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Eleventh Crow Wing Lake is located just north of Akeley in east-central Hubbard County. Eleventh Crow Wing has a surface area of 751 acres and a maximum depth of 80 feet. There is a public access and campground owned and maintained by the city of Akeley, located on the south shore. A new culvert was installed on Highway 64 which separates the east and west basins of Eleventh Crow Wing. The new culvert design will accommodate the passage of most boats and pontoons. Eleventh Crow Wing is a deep lake with excellent water quality and lots of structure to challenge anglers. Eleventh Crow Wing supports a good Walleye population that maintains healthy numbers and size ranges of fish, as well as providing angling opportunities for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Panfish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Eleventh Crow Wing is in lake class 23. Class 23 lakes are generally very deep, clear, have a very low percentage of littoral area (depth less than 15 feet), and have hard water. Other class 23 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include Benedict, Blue, Boot, East Crooked, Ninth Crow Wing, and Spearhead. Walleye abundance was down slightly from previous surveys, but still at the upper range for this lake class. Walleye sampled had an average length of 18 inches and measured up to 29 inches. Yellow Perch and Tullibee (Cisco) are important forage species for large predators such as Walleye and Northern Pike. Past and present surveys have shown that Yellow Perch and Tullibee (Cisco) populations fluctuate from moderate to high numbers for this lake class. Yellow Perch sampled had an average length of 6.6 inches and measured up to 11.4 inches. Eleventh Crow is known for having a low to moderate Northern Pike population composed of quality-sized fish. Northern Pike abundance was below the range for this lake class but similar to past surveys. Large Northern Pike utilize the abundant Tullibee (Cisco) population in Eleventh Crow Wing which accounts for the fast growth rates observed in this population. While not really known as a Bass-Panfish Lake, Eleventh Crow Wing does support moderate numbers of Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass, and low numbers of Black Crappie. Bluegill were sampled in moderate numbers for this lake class and anglers will find that size tends to run small, with fish in the 5 to 7 inch size range. Black Crappie were sampled in moderate numbers for this lake class with fish measuring up to 11.5 inches. Eleventh Crow Wing supports a low to moderate Largemouth Bass population with better Bass habitat in the east basin. Rusty Crayfish and Curly-leaf Pondweed have been identified in Eleventh Crow Wing Lake. To avoid spreading Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), lake users are required to remove all aquatic plant or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

Eleventh Crow Wing Lake (29-0036-00) is a 751-acre lake with a maximum depth of 80 feet Located near Akeley, MN. A survey targeting near shore fish species was conducted by Park Rapids Fisheries Staff on 21-22 July 2017 to assess populations of non-game species and small sport fish. Fourteen 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. During this assessment, six sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine and seven sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at one sites. Backpack electrofishing was done at all fourteen sites, several of which were conducted from the side of the boat. Nearshore sampling captured several species of fish including five species intolerant of disturbance such as Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Least Darter, and Mottled Sculpin. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Central Mudminnow, Common Shiner, Green Sunfish, Golden Shiner, Hybrid sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Mimic Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tadpole Madtom, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gillnet and trapnet catch data from a survey on 18 July 2016, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of the health of Eleventh Crow Wing Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Eleventh Crow Wing Lake is located in the Crow Wing River Watershed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish, and Black Crappie in Eleventh Crow Wing. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Eleventh Crow Wing has a maximum depth of 80 feet and a mean depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Eleventh Crow Wing is from 2021.

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