Fish Hook

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Fish Hook Lake on July 28th, 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 71.8 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 20.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 22.2 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 1.4 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present but marginal. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 20.2 degrees C (68.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco at the time of the survey as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat 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 2018 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Fish Hook Lake is located two miles north of Park Rapids in west-central Hubbard County. Fish Hook has a surface area of 1,643 acres and a maximum depth of 76 feet. A DNR owned public access is located on the west shore of the lake off US-71. Access is also available from the Fish Hook River, with a county access in Heartland Park. Fish Hook is a very popular lake for fishing and recreation during the summer and winter. Fish Hook provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass and panfish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Fish Hook is in class 27. Class 27 lakes are generally very large, deep, have very hard water and are regularly shaped. Other class 27 lakes in the work area include: Garfield, George, and Upper Bottle. Walleye abundance was in line with recent surveys, and above the management goal. Most adult fish were spread out from 8 - 23 inches, with a strong class of 14 -16 inch Walleye for anglers. Walleye sampled had an average length of 15.5 inches with fish measuring up to 26.4 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Walleye were sampled in average numbers, but very few were large enough for anglers to target. Largemouth Bass were sampled in good numbers again in 2022, with fish averaging just over 11 inches. The longest Largemouth Bass sampled was 19 inches in length. Smallmouth bass have been sampled in the past, but none were sampled in 2022. Northern Pike abundance was down, but still in moderate numbers for this lake class. Anglers will find most northern from 18 - 24 inches in length, with fish up to 38 inches. Northern Pike sampled had an average length of 21.7 inches and weighed 2.3 pounds. Only a few crappies were sampled in this survey, with the largest at 11 inches. Fish Hook also provides fishing for Bluegill and Pumpkinseed; with some nicer fish up to 8.5 inches. Curly-leaf Pondweed is an aquatic invasive species (AIS) that has been identified in Fish Hook 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.

Fish Hook Lake (29-0242-00) is a 1,642.57-acre lake with a maximum depth of 76 feet located two miles north of Park Rapids, MN. A survey targeting near shore fish species was conducted by Park Rapids Fisheries Staff on July 17-18, 2017 to assess populations of non-game and small sport fish. Eighteen 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 conditions. During this assessment, seven sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine and seven were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at four sites. Backpack electrofishing was done at 13 sites, several of which were conducted from the side of the boat. Equipment failure prevented the use of backpack electrofishing at five sites. Nearshore sampling captured several species of fish including seven species intolerant of disturbance; Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Least Darter, Logperch, Longnose Dace, and Mottled Sculpin. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Common Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Spottail Shiner, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gillnet and trapnet catch data from a standard fisheries survey on July 17, 2017, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of the health of Fish Hook Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Fish Hook Lake is located in the Crow Wing River Watershed.

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

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

Fish Hook has a maximum depth of 76 feet and a mean depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Fish Hook has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.