Lower Hay Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

18037800

County

Crow Wing

Surface area

700 acres

Maximum depth

100 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

215 acres, 31% of the lake

Shoreline

4.4 miles

Average water clarity

18.6 feet (Secchi disk, 4 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

September 2025, targeted survey

Surveys on record

25, since 1990

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, lake trout, largemouth bass, northern pike, northern sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye, yellow perch, and 29 other species

Lower Hay Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 20 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Infested waters list

zebra mussel

Special regulation, Whitefish Chain including connected Cross Lake Reservoir, Lower Hay, Arrowhead, Bertha, Clamshell, Big Trout, Pig, Island-Loon, Rush-Hen, Dagget, and Little Pine lakes

Crappie, Sunfish: Daily limit five.

Fish consumption

Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested

Size

500 to 1,999 acres

Deepest point

60 feet or more

Public access

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  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.