Lake Crystal

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How deep is Lake Crystal?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Crystal?

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Are there topographical lake maps available Lake Crystal?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Lake Crystal (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Lake Crystal

Are there boat launches on Lake Crystal?

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Lake Crystal is a 393-acre lake partially surrounded by the city of Lake Crystal on its southwest side in Blue Earth County. Lake Crystal is shallow and highly productive, which is common in landscapes dominated by agriculture. Much of the shoreline and riparian zone of Lake Crystal is developed. A city owned park located on the southwest shore provides public access to the lake. The sport fish community consists of Black Crappie, White Crappie, Northern Pike, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. The Walleye population is maintained through stocking.
Walleye

Walleye catch rates (18.3/gill net) rebounded from 2011 (11.5/gill net) which were the lowest observed catch rates since the 1972 survey. The 2016 catch exceeded the 3rd quartile for lakes similar to Lake Crystal (Class 43). Gill netted Walleyes ranged in length from 7.7 inches to 15.6 inches with an average of 10.4 inches. Size structure indices indicate a young Walleye population and only 3 year classes (2013, 2014, and 2015) were sampled due to a strong winter-kill during 2013-2014. Walleye fry were stocked in 2014, 2015, and 2016 following the winter-kill.
Northern Pike

Northern Pike have been sampled in low abundance (i.e., 0.0/gill net and less than 0.5/trap net) dating back to the 1991 survey, with the exception of the 2011 survey (6.3/gill net). Northern Pike numbers in 2016 returned to more historic levels as only two Northern Pike (0.7/gill net), measuring 17.6 and 19.4 inches, were sampled with gill nets. Although Northern Pike are not stocked directly into Lake Crystal, Northern Pike were stocked in Mills Lake in 2003, 2004, and 2006 which is directly connected to Lake Crystal. Northern Pike are more tolerant of low oxygen than many other game fish species and some may have survived the winter-kill of 2013-2014.
Black Crappie

Catch rates of Black Crappies in both trap nets and gill nets were high in 2016 with 34.2/gill net and 40.8/trap net compared to 28.6/trap net and 94.5/gill net in 2011. The 2016 trap net and gill net catch rates of Black Crappies exceeded the 3rd quartile for similar lakes for both sampling gears. Black Crappie size structure improved from 2011 when the majority of fish were small. Black Crappies sampled in gill nets in 2016 ranged in length from 5.9 inches to 13.1 inches and averaged 8.5 inches. Total length of Black Crappies captured in trap nets ranged from 3.1 inches to 14.1 inches and averaged 8.7 inches. White Crappies were sampled in low numbers (1.6/net) with trap nets in 2016. White Crappies were also present in the 2011 survey (4.8/gill net and 1.3/trap net) for the first time since the 1972 survey.
Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch catch rates for gill nets (7.3/gill net) were between the 1st and 2nd quartiles for lakes similar to Lake Crystal and was the highest rate since 1982. Yellow Perch averaged 8.8 inches and ranged from 7.5 to 11.1 inches.
Yellow Bullhead

Black Bullhead catch rates in trap nets (69.4/trap net) and gill nets (112.3/gill net) were between the median and upper quartile for class 43 lakes and were lower than in the 2011 survey. In 2006, catch rates of Black Bullheads were 189.8/gill net and 159.4/trap net. Yellow Bullhead catch rates (8.8/trap net) also decreased from the 2011 survey (14.6/trap net), although they remain higher than recent surveys and exceed the upper quartile for class 43 lakes. Size structure of Yellow Bullheads sampled with gill nets was good. Yellow Bullheads averaged 9.0 inches and ranged from 6.5 to 14.3 inches.
Common Carp

Common Carp abundance decreased substantially from the 2011 survey. Gill net catch rates of Common Carp decreased from 30.5/gill net in 2011 to 1.3/gill net in 2016. Trap net catch rates of Common Carp decreased from 8.5/trap net in 2011 to 4.3/trap net in 2016. Both trap net and gill net catch rates were between the lower and upper quartiles for class 43 lakes. The majority of Common Carp captured were greater than 20 inches in total length.

Other species
Bigmouth buffalo, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish and White Sucker were present but occurred in low numbers.

Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Lake Crystal and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future.

Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cannot support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants, and natural lake bottom soils.

Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

-Sky Wigen, Fisheries Specialist

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