Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest April 19, 2023
Crystal Lake FishingFWater-quality grade F
Minnesota DNR surveys at Crystal Lake average 16.75 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated April 19, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–26 inches. In Blue Earth County, Minnesota, Crystal Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of F. Water clarity averages 1.5 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Crystal Lake
12 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Crystal Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Crystal Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Crystal Lake average 16.75 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated April 19, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–26 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Crystal Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-04-19 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 109.40 | 0.3 lb |
| Black Crappie | 20.82 | 0.27 lb |
| Walleye | 16.75 | 1.28 lb |
| Common Carp | 12.05 | 3.19 lb |
| Bluegill | 8.82 | 0.25 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 7.00 | 0.27 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Black Bullhead
Black Crappie
Walleye
Common Carp
From the 2023-04-19 survey
Two trap nets were set at Crystal Lake on 19 April 2023 to assess winterkill. Yellow Perch and Black Bullheads were abundant. A single Black Crappie and a single White Sucker were also sampled. We have reports of anglers catching Black Crappie from shore. Dead Common Carp were observed on the shoreline.
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Crystal Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — CrystalFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — CrystalFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — CrystalPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Crystal Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Crystal Lake average 16.75 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated April 19, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–26 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 12 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Crystal Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Crystal Lake is dated April 19, 2023. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Crystal Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Crystal Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Crystal Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Crystal Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
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