Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 22, 2024
Fish Hook Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Fish Hook Lake average 7.18 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 2 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 22, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–21 inches. In Becker County, Minnesota, Fish Hook Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 9.5 feet of visibility, and the lake has public access. 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 Fish Hook Lake
10 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 Fish Hook 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
Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Fish Hook Lake average 7.18 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 2 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 22, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–21 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Fish Hook Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-07-22 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 13.47 | 0.41 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 10.33 | 0.16 lb |
| Bluegill | 10.19 | 0.19 lb |
| Northern Pike | 7.18 | 1.3 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 6.90 | 0.4 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 4.83 | 0.18 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
Hybrid Sunfish
Bluegill
Northern Pike
From the 2024-07-22 survey
Net Lake is a 230-acre lake located in northern Becker County approximately 3 miles east of White Earth. It has an average water clarity of ten feet and a maximum depth of 47 feet. Submerged and floating vegetation is common throughout near shore areas. A targeted fisheries survey was completed on Net Lake in July…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Fish Hook Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — NetFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Net (1024)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — NetFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — NetPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Fish Hook Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Fish Hook Lake average 7.18 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 2 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 22, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–21 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 10 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 Fish Hook Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Fish Hook Lake is dated July 22, 2024. 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 Fish Hook Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Fish Hook 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 Fish Hook Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Fish Hook Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. 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.
Where to stay near Fish Hook Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Fish Hook Lake
Planning a trip to Fish Hook Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Fish Hook Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.