Crooked

Crooked Lake is located about twenty miles northeast of Finland and within the Superior National Forest. The public access is off Forest Service 358 (Hoist Lake Road) and consists of a concrete log ramp with parking for a few vehicle and trailer rigs. The Walleye population is actively managed with the current plan to stock fingerlings in two consecutive years followed by two non-stocked years. A standard fisheries survey was completed in August 2024 to monitor the fish community and evaluate stocking efforts. The Walleye catch rate of 13.67 per gill net was above the normal range for similar lakes and significantly higher than the last survey, but consistent with historic surveys of Crooked Lake that have regularly had high catches. Walleye ranged from 7 to 24 inches long with a high proportion of keeper sized fish. Age analysis determined 66% of the catch was from stocked year classes, although each of the non-stocked year classes from the past decade were also present. Historic survey data has shown that natural reproduction occurs annually, and likely occurs in stocked years, making it difficult to evaluate the contributions of stocking to the Walleye population. The Smallmouth Bass catch rate of 1.17 per gill net was within the normal range for similar lakes but lower than the catch from any of the previous six surveys of Crooked Lake. The trap net catch of 4.22 per net was higher than normal for this lake, and for similar lakes in the area, but the size structure of the catch was small. The combined catch from gill nets and trap nets averaged just 8.1 inches long and included few bass longer than 12 inches. Analysis of scale samples determined successful natural reproduction has occurred in each of the previous four years indicating adequate spawning stock is still present. Survey results suggest opportunities for quality sized Smallmouth Bass may be limited currently, but the population should continue to be maintained by natural reproduction. The Northern Pike catch rate of 7.0 per gill net was the highest of any survey of the lake to date and was slightly above the normal range for similar lakes. The population had a good size distribution with an average size of about 24 inches long and over two and a half pounds with pike as large as 37 inches long sampled. No Muskellunge were sampled for the second consecutive survey. Historic survey data has documented limited natural reproduction likely due to lack of adequate spawning habitat.

Crooked Lake is located approximately twenty miles northeast of Finland, MN. There is a public access with a concrete ramp on the north side the eastern basin. The standard survey was conducted to monitor the fish community in Crooked Lake and to evaluate the Walleye fingerling stocking. Zooplankton sampling was also completed during the standard survey to monitor the lake after Zebra Mussels were first reported in 2014 and to provide baseline data about the community composition and abundance. Samples collected in August 2019 did not contain any Zebra Mussels. The lake remains listed as infested despite no additional detections of Zebra Mussels in any sampling efforts since the initial report. A total of 43 Walleye were caught in the gill nets and was within the normal range compared to similar lakes, but was lower than the previous four surveys. The average size of Walleye was 15.5 inches and 1.5 pounds. Forty-five percent of the catch was over 16 inches long. The largest Walleye caught was 24.6 inches long and weighed 4.7 pounds. Growth was average for the area and recruitment is consistent with only one year class absent in the last ten years. Stocking of 193 pounds of Walleye fingerlings occurs for two consecutive years out of every four years, the most recent stockings were in the falls of 2018 and 2019. Results from this survey are similar to previous investigations that have determined natural reproduction contributes more to the population than stocking. Smallmouth Bass were sampled at average numbers for similar lakes in the area and comparable to the previous two surveys on the lake. Bass size structure was good with fish over 18 inches long present and an average size of 15 inches and 1.9 pounds. Natural reproduction is able to maintain the population with only two year classes absent over the last ten years. The Northern Pike catch was within the normal range for similar lakes and higher than the four most recent investigations. A total of 38 pike were caught and average size was 22.5 inches and 2.9 pounds with 24% of the catch greater than 26 inches. Growth of Northern Pike was fast for the area, and natural reproduction currently sustains the population with eight different ages represented in the sample. Yellow Perch and White Suckers are important forage species in the lake and were captured in normal numbers. No Muskellunge were sampled during the 2019 survey.

A survey was performed on August 20, 2018 to gather baseline information about the zooplankton community and to check for the presence of zebra mussels, spiny water flea, or other aquatic invasive species. Sampling consisted of three vertical hauls with a 50 cm diameter net with 80 micron mesh made over the deepest part of the lake. No aquatic invasive species were sampled.

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

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

Crooked has a maximum depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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