Third Crow Wing

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Third Crow Wing Lake on August 1st, 2025. This was done 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 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 33.1 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 18.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 17.0 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen 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 22.2 degrees C (72.0 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Third Crow Wing Lake during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Third Crow Wing Lake is located six miles south of Nevis in southern Hubbard County. Third Crow Wing is part of a chain of lakes running from Eleventh Crow Wing Lake at the headwaters, down to First Crow Wing Lake. Third Crow Wing Lake has a surface area of 643 acres and a maximum depth of 35 feet. A DNR-owned public access is located on the northwest shore of the lake off West Island Lake Road. Boating access is also available through a narrow channel from Fourth Crow Wing Lake, or a shallow channel from Second Crow Wing Lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Third Crow Wing Lake is in Lake Class 25. Class 25 lakes are generally deep with clear, hard water and have an irregularly shaped shoreline. Other class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Bad Axe, Belle Taine, Big Mantrap, Eagle, Island, Little Mantrap, Little Sand, Ojibway, Spider, Straight, Two Inlets and West Crooked. Walleyes were sampled in moderate numbers, and a good size for anglers with an average length of 17.5 inches. Walleyes ranged from 7.6 to 28 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for both Walleye and Northern Pike were sampled in moderate numbers. All Yellow Perch were small at 5 - 6.2 inches. Anglers can expect to find an abundant population of Northern Pike in Third Crow Wing Lake. Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 22 inches and 2.5 pounds, with the largest measured at 36.8 inches. Third Crow Wing Lake supports healthy panfish populations and can provide good fishing for Black Crappie and Bluegill. The Black Crappie catch rate was up with moderate population compared to other local lakes. Crappie size averaged 9 inches, with fish up to 14.4 inches sampled. Bluegills were sampled in good numbers, similar to past surveys. Anglers will find most Bluegill and Pumpkinseed in the 3.5 - 8 inch size range, with some up to 9 inches. A special regulation of a daily limit of 5 for Bluegill was implemented in 2021. The objective of the lowered bag limit is to spread out the harvest and allow for more fish to attain larger sizes (8-10 inches). Summer sampling of Largemouth Bass showed good numbers, but sizes were on the smaller side. Summer sampling is not the best way to sample Largemouth Bass. Previous spring samples have shown fish sampled up to 19 inches. Third Crow Wing Lake was listed in 2011 as infested with faucet snails, an aquatic invasive species (AIS). To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

Third Crow Wing Lake is located six miles south of Nevis in southern Hubbard County. Third Crow Wing is part of a chain of lakes running from Eleventh Crow Wing Lake at the headwaters, down to First Crow Wing Lake. Third Crow Wing Lake has a surface area of 643 acres and a maximum depth of 35 feet. A public access is located on the northwest shore of the lake off of West Island Lake Road. Boating access is also available through a narrow channel from Fourth Crow Wing Lake, or a shallow channel from Second Crow Wing Lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Third Crow Wing Lake is in Lake Class 25. Class 25 lakes are generally deep with clear, hard water and have an irregularly shaped shoreline. Other class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Belle Taine, Big Mantrap, Dead, Eagle, Island, Little Mantrap, Little Sand, Ojibway, Spider and West Crooked. Walleyes were sampled in moderate numbers, and a good size for anglers with an average length of 16 inches. Walleyes ranged from 10 to 22 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for both Walleye and Northern Pike were sampled in moderate numbers. Most perch were small at 5 - 7 inches, with just a few over 8 inches. Anglers can expect to find a very abundant population of Northern Pike in Third Crow Wing Lake. Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 22 inches and 2.3 pounds, with the largest measured at 34 inches in 2019. Third Crow Wing Lake supports healthy panfish populations and can provide good fishing for Black Crappie and Bluegill. The Black Crappie catch rate was down, and low compared to other local lakes. Crappie size averaged 8 inches, with fish up to 12.5 inches sampled. Bluegills were sampled in good numbers, similar to past surveys. Anglers will find most Bluegill and Pumpkinseed in the 3.5 - 8 inch size range, with some up to 9 inches. Moderate numbers and sizes of Largemouth Bass were sampled. They were an average length of 12.8 inches, with fish sampled up to 19 inches. Third Crow Wing Lake was listed in 2011 as infested with faucet snails, an aquatic invasive species (AIS). To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

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

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

Third Crow Wing has a maximum depth of 35 feet and a mean depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Third Crow Wing is from 2024.

Yes — Third Crow Wing has confirmed faucet snail. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.