Today's Best Fishing Times
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We want to see what you've caught on Hay Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Hay Lake, MN
- How big is Hay Lake?
- How deep is Hay Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Hay Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Hay Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Hay Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Hay Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Hay Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Hay Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Hay Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Hay Lake?
How big is Hay Lake?
How deep is Hay Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Hay Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Cisco (Tullibee), Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Hay Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Hay Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Hay Lake?
Are there boat launches on Hay Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Hay Lake?
Explore the Hay Lake area in a RV
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History & Status of the Fishery
Hay Lake (DOW# 11-0199; Lake Class 23) is a 364-acre lake located east of Backus, MN. There is a state owned public access on the west shore. Hay Lake has 5.22 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 56 feet. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and Northern Pike and secondarily for Bluegill, and Tullibee (Cisco). The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Hay Lake is in Lake Class 23; lakes in this class are generally very clear, very deep, have a low percentage of shallow water area, and have very irregularly shaped shoreline with many bays or points.
Hay Lake has a fish community that is dominated by Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. The majority of Largemouth Bass were between 10 to 14 inches, but Bass up to 18 inches were sampled. Bluegills averaged less than 6 inches in the 2014 sample, but a few larger fish were sampled. Northern Pike numbers are down from the last few years, but more fish over 28 inches should be present. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include Black Crappie, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Tullibee (Cisco) Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Hay Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. 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. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.
What is the average air temp for Hay Lake?
Are there any state parks near Hay Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Hay Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Hand Lake | 1.8 mi | 289 | 57 ft |
Hand Lake | 2.1 mi | 269 | 57 ft |
Two Lake | 2.4 mi | 45 | 25 ft |
Island Lake | 2.6 mi | 184 | 40 ft |
One Lake | 2.6 mi | 73 | 35 ft |
Ponto Lake | 2.7 mi | 388 | 60 ft |
Blackwater Lake | 2.9 mi | 767 | 67 ft |
Louise Lake | 3.0 mi | 59 | 26 ft |
Mule Lake | 3.0 mi | 525 | 47 ft |
Sand Lake | 3.5 mi | 149 | 54 ft |