Crooked Lake near 46.3665, -93.9087 is a lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Crooked Lake covers about 358 acres, reaches a recorded 72 feet and holds about 6,200 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Crooked Lake Affect Fishing
Crooked Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.
Fish and Baits at Crooked Lake
Fish reported from Crooked Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, cisco, emerald shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, least darter, logperch, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, northern pike, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tadpole madtom, walleye, weed shiner, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Crooked Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Crooked Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and pumpkinseed, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Crooked Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Crooked Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads
For bottom fishing at Crooked Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Crooked Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Crooked Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Cisco
For other cold-water fish at Crooked Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.
How the Seasons Change Crooked Lake
Spring at Crooked Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer fishing is usually better in cooler, deeper water. Fall at Crooked Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Crooked Lake
On a first trip to Crooked Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Crooked Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Crooked Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Crooked Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 358-acre Crooked Lake?
At Crooked Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 72-foot deep end of Crooked Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Crooked Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 6,200 acre-foot storage figure mean at Crooked Lake?
At Crooked Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.