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Frequently Asked Questions About Lower Hay Lake, MN
- How big is Lower Hay Lake?
- How deep is Lower Hay Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Lower Hay Lake?
- Are there fishing guides or charters for Lower Hay Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Lower Hay Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Lower Hay Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Lower Hay Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Lower Hay Lake?
- What are the fishing regulations for Lower Hay Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Lower Hay Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Lower Hay Lake?
How big is Lower Hay Lake?
How deep is Lower Hay Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Lower Hay Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Cisco (Tullibee), Common Shiner, Golden Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Lake Whitefish, Logperch, Longnose Dace, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, Spottail Shiner and White Sucker.
Are there fishing guides or charters for Lower Hay Lake?
What are the closest cities to Lower Hay Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Lower Hay Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Lower Hay Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Lower Hay Lake?
What are the fishing regulations for Lower Hay Lake?
There are specific fishing regulations Lower Hay Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?
Explore the Lower Hay Lake area in a RV
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2018 Winnebago View 24D with Murphy Bed. Very easy to drive and Immaculate!
Crosslake, MN
What aquatic invasive species are found in Lower Hay Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
Lower Hay Lake, part of the Whitefish Chain, is a 685 acre lake in northern Crow Wing County. Maximum depth is 100 ft. Lower Hay is highly developed with 112 homes around its 4.2 miles of shoreline. A DNR access is located on the south shore with access also possible through a channel from Whitefish Lake. Water clarity was good with a secchi reading of 12 feet.
The northern pike catch rate of 15.7/ gillnet was well above average, and the highest to date. Average size was 18.8 inches and 1.5 lbs. Northern pike over 24 inches made up only 8% of the population. Growth was above average compared to area lakes.
Walleyes were caught at below average numbers at a rate of 1.7/gillnet, although average size was nice at 20.3 inches and 3.3 lbs. Walleyes are stocked annually as fry and every other year as fingerlings into the Whitefish Chain.
Bluegills were caught in above average numbers at 49.7/ trapnet. Size should be very acceptable to anglers with 85% of the population over 7 inches, and 29% over 8 inches with the largest measuring 9.7 inches. Average weight was 0.4 lbs. Anglers need to practice selective harvest to protect the quality size of bluegills.
Yellow perch were caught in the lowest numbers to date at 0.6/gillnet. Yellow perch are an important prey species especially for walleyes and northern pike. Other fish captured included black crappie, hybrid sunfish, lake whitefish, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass, rock bass, tullibee (cisco), white sucker, yellow bullhead, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, greater redhorse, silver redhorse and shorthead redhorse. During near shore electrofishing and seining for IBI an additional ten species of fish were captured.
What is the average air temp for Lower Hay Lake?
Are there any state parks near Lower Hay Lake?
Crow Wing State Forest
Pillsbury State Forest
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Land O Lakes State Forest
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Lower Hay Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Nelson Lake | 1.2 mi | 88 | 65 ft |
| Bertha Lake | 1.5 mi | 337 | 64 ft |
| Upper Hay Lake | 2.0 mi | 596 | 42 ft |
| Island Lake | 2.0 mi | 68 | 24 ft |
| Clamshell Lake | 2.5 mi | 211 | 44 ft |
| Clear Lake | 2.9 mi | 226 | 63 ft |
| Grass Lake | 3.0 mi | 45 | 40 ft |
| Strawberry Lake | 3.9 mi | 20 | 41 ft |
| Kimball Lake | 4.0 mi | 190 | 77 ft |
| Whitefish Lake | 4.3 mi | 7,716 | 138 ft |
