Colby Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

69024900

County

St. Louis

Surface area

518 acres

Maximum depth

30 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

377 acres, 73% of the lake

Shoreline

12.0 miles

Average water clarity

3.4 feet (Secchi disk, 5 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

July 2025, standard survey

Surveys on record

12, since 1979

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

black crappie 81, bluegill 53, northern pike 27, channel catfish 25, yellow perch 12, walleye 5, hybrid sunfish 2, rock bass 1

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 15 other species

Colby Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 24 trailer spaces, toilet, run by City of Hoyt Lakes

Eating advice, sensitive populations

crappie: all sizes - 1 serving/month; sunfish: all sizes - 1 serving/month; walleye: shorter than 17" - 1 serving/month; walleye: 17" or longer - do not eat

Eating advice, general populations

crappie: all sizes - 1 serving/week; northern pike: shorter than 20" - 1 serving/week; northern pike: 20" or longer - 1 serving/month; walleye: shorter than 14" - 1 serving/week; walleye: 14" or longer - 1 serving/month

Size

500 to 1,999 acres

Deepest point

30 to 59 feet

Public access

Yes

Lake-specific eating advice

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota Department of Health fish consumption guidelines
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.