Crawford Lake

How big is Crawford Lake?

How deep is Crawford Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Crawford Lake?

What are the closest cities to Crawford Lake?

Are there boat launches on Crawford Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Crawford Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Crawford Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Crawford 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?

Crawford Lake is a 109 acre lake located five miles south of the city of Buffalo in Wright County. The lake is shallow (max. depth of 19 feet) with a history of winterkill. The lake was reclaimed using rotenone in 1998, but not all bullheads were killed. An aeration system was purchased and has been used since 2001 to prevent winterkill, but the system failed in 2014 and a partial winterkill occurred. Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish (to control bullheads), Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Yellow Perch have been stocked since then. In 2021, a standard lake survey was completed to track the recovery of the fishery.

The Walleye catch rate was identical to that of 2009, and within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Walleye fingerling and adult stocking occurred in 2017, 2019 and 2021. The average length of Walleye was 16 inches.

Northern Pike were sampled for the first time since the reclamation at a rate well above the expected range of values for similar lakes. Northern Pike were not stocked by the DNR after the lake was reclaimed in 1998 and it is not known how they were introduced into the lake. Pike ranged in length from 15 to 33 inches with an average length and weight of 22 inches and 2.6 pounds.

The Largemouth Bass population is still recovering from the partial winterkill of 2014. Fifty-six minutes of day-time electrofishing on June 4, 2021 produced a catch of 83 bass. Largemouth ranged in length from 6 to 14 inches with an average length of 10 inches. Nine percent of bass were greater than 12 inches in length.

Bluegill were abundant as the catch was above the range of expected values and more than that of 2009. Only one of the Bluegill sampled in 2021 was larger than seven inches in length which was similar to conditions prior to the winterkill. Despite the special regulations a memorable sunfish fishery has not developed.

The gill net catch rate of Black Crappie was above the first quartile for the lake class, however no crappie were sampled in trap nets and only three in gill nets. This was similar to 2009 when the catch was also low. The crappie fishery has never developed since the reclamation perhaps because of the mesotrophic nature of Crawford Lake.

The Black Bullhead catch has increased since 2009. Of the 43 bullheads sampled in gill nets the average length was 9 inches. Adult Channel Catfish were stocked in 2014 and 2016 (100 and 200, respectively) to help control the bullhead population however, none were sampled in either gill nets or trap nets in 2021.

The fishery is still recovering from the 2014 winterkill but no additional stocking seems needed at this time. Walleye fingerlings will continue to be stocked every two years when available.

What is the average air temp for Crawford Lake?