Sixth Crow Wing

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Sixth 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 17.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.6 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 4.3 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 16.9 degrees C (62.4 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 the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 5 years, between 2009-2024, indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in most years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2014 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Sixth Crow Wing Lake is located two miles southwest of Nevis in southern Hubbard County. Sixth Crow Wing is part of a chain of lakes running from Eleventh Crow Wing Lake at the headwaters, down to First Crow Wing Lake. Sixth Crow Wing Lake has a surface area of 340 acres and a maximum depth of 40 feet. A DNR-owned public access is located on the southwest shore of Sixth Crow Wing Lake, off Deer Run Drive. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Sixth Crow Wing Lake is in Lake Class 31. Class 31 lakes generally have very hard water, and regularly shaped shorelines. Other class 31 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Second, Fifth, Seventh, and Eighth Crow Wings, Boulder, Duck, Evergreen, Hattie, Hinds, Shingobee, Tripp and Lower Twin. A 24 to 36 inch protected slot limit for Northern Pike is in place on Fifth and Sixth Crow Wing Lakes. The objective of this regulations is to maintain or improve pike sizes in these lakes. Anglers can expect to find good numbers of Northern Pike in Sixth Crow Wing Lake. Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 23.7 inches and 2.9 pounds, with pike measured up to 36.9 inches. Walleyes were a good size for anglers, with an average length of 15.8 inches. Walleyes ranged from 7.5 to 23 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for both Walleye and Northern Pike were sampled in low numbers. Most Yellow Perch were 5 - 7 inches, with just a few over 8.5 inches. Sixth Crow Wing Lake supports a healthy panfish population and can provide good fishing for Black Crappie and Bluegill. Black Crappie were sampled in moderate numbers compared to other local lakes. They had an average size of 8.7 inches, with crappies sampled up to 12 inches. Bluegills were sampled in good numbers, similar to past surveys. The majority sampled were 3.5 - 7.5 inches, but anglers will find larger Bluegill up to and over 9 inches. No aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Sixth Crow Wing Lake. 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.

Sixth Crow Wing Lake is located two miles southwest of Nevis in southern Hubbard County. Sixth Crow Wing is part of a chain of lakes running from Eleventh Crow Wing Lake at the headwaters, down to First Crow Wing Lake. Sixth Crow Wing Lake has a surface area of 340 acres and a maximum depth of 40 feet. A DNR-owned public access is located on the southwest shore of Sixth Crow Wing Lake, off Deer Run Drive. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Sixth Crow Wing Lake is in Lake Class 31. Class 31 lakes generally have very hard water, and regularly shaped shorelines. Other class 31 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Second, Fifth, and Seventh Crow Wings, Boulder, Duck, Evergreen, Hattie, Hinds, Shingobee, Tripp and Lower Twin. A special 24 to 36 inch protected slot limit for Northern Pike is in place on Fifth and Sixth Crow Wing Lakes. The objective of this regulations is to maintain or improve pike sizes in these lakes. Anglers can expect to find good numbers of Northern Pike in Sixth Crow Wing Lake. Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 25 inches and 3.6 pounds, with pike measured up to 35 inches. Walleyes were a good size for anglers, with an average length of 18 inches. Walleyes ranged from 10 to 28 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for both Walleye and Northern Pike were sampled in very good numbers. Most perch were 6 - 8.5 inches, with just a few over 8.5 inches. Spring sampling showed good numbers of Largemouth Bass. They had an average length of 15 inches, with fish sampled up to 19 inches. Sixth Crow Wing Lake supports a healthy panfish population and can provide good fishing for Black Crappie and Bluegill. Black Crappie were sampled in moderate numbers compared to other local lakes. They had an average size of 7.5 inches, with crappies sampled up to 12 inches. Bluegills were sampled in good numbers, similar to past surveys. The majority sampled were 3-7.5 inches, but anglers will find larger Bluegill up to and over 9 inches. No aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Sixth Crow Wing Lake. 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, Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Rock Bass in Sixth Crow Wing. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Sixth Crow Wing has a maximum depth of 40 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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