Hay

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Hay Lake on September 3rd 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 34 survey sites evenly spaced 100 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 89.6 (+/- 2.7) out of 100 possible. A score of 89.6 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-91.9). Approximately 29 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 74.5 (+/- 7.0) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Moderate (70-79.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 95.8 (+/- 1.0) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Hay Lake on September 3rd 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 34 survey sites evenly spaced 100 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 89.6 (+/- 2.7) out of 100 possible. A score of 89.6 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-91.9). Approximately 29 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 74.5 (+/- 7.0) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Moderate (70-79.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 95.8 (+/- 1.0) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Hay Lake was conducted 07/05/2024 by Aitkin Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 15-foot seine was used at five stations. Five stations were not seined due to soft sediment and dense vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 12 species of fish. No species tolerant or intolerant of disturbance were captured. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 06/14/2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biotic integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Black Bullhead). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey are inconclusive, although Hay Lake may be adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score near the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results differ from previous findings which indicated that Hay Lake was fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River-Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Hay Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch in Hay. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Hay. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Hay has a maximum depth of 32 feet and a mean depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hay is from 2024.

No invasive species are on record for Hay in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

No — Hay has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.