Middle Crooked Lake

How big is Middle Crooked Lake?

How deep is Middle Crooked Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Middle Crooked Lake?

What are the closest cities to Middle Crooked Lake?

Are there boat launches on Middle Crooked Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Middle Crooked Lake?

Middle Crooked is located five miles north of Nevis in central Hubbard County. Middle Crooked has a surface area of 289 acres and a maximum depth of 33 feet. With the exception of the middle bay, much of the lake is shallow, with 89% of the lake area less than 15 feet deep. There is a state-owned public access located on the northeast shore of the lake off County Road 2. Due to its shallow depth, Middle Crooked has experienced periodic partial winterkill events. Dissolved oxygen levels can become low during long winters with heavy snow fall. Gamefish such as Largemouth Bass and Bluegill are less tolerant of low oxygen levels than are Northern Pike and bullhead species. Abundance of certain gamefish species has fluctuated with these partial winterkill events.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Middle Crooked is in lake class 35. Class 35 lakes generally have a very irregular shaped shoreline and very high littoral area (water depth less than 15 feet).

Middle Crooked provides angling opportunities for Northern Pike, panfish, and Largemouth Bass. Present and past surveys have shown a moderate Northern Pike population composed of small to medium sized fish. Sampled Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 20.9 inches and 2.0 pounds with fish measured up to 31.9 inches. Good numbers of Black Crappie and Bluegill were sampled, however, fish ran small in size. Sampled Black Crappie were less than 10 inches and few Bluegills were over 7 inches sampled. Age analysis showed very slow growth rates for Black Crappie and Bluegill. The Largemouth Bass population in Middle Crooked fluctuates from very low to moderate numbers depending on the frequency of winterkill events. Largemouth Bass up to 17.5 inches were sampled. Yellow Perch were sampled in low numbers and generally not a preferred size for angling. Yellow Perch up to 8.5 inches were sampled.

Other species sampled included high numbers of Yellow Bullhead, and low numbers of Pumpkinseed and White Sucker.

Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Middle Crooked. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft ad drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

What is the average air temp for Middle Crooked Lake?

Are there any state parks near Middle Crooked Lake?