Hay

Crow Wing County

Near Riverton

DOW: 18012000

Hybrid SunfishGood · 59Northern PikeGood · 54Yellow PerchGood · 52

A 52-acre lake near Riverton in Crow Wing County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1982.

Fish Species (10)

Hybrid Sunfish

Good · 59

Typical numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	0.75	-	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.00 lbs

Catch rate: 7.0 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	7.00	-	2.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 52

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 14.5 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	0.75	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 7, 1982	14.50	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 51

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.70 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 1.2–4.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	0.25	-	0.70 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	5.25	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 49

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 7.5 per trap net · typical 4.9–49.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	7.50	-	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 7, 1982	0.50	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 43

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.70 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	0.50	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (3)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Brown Bullhead

Good · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.74 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 1.1–9.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	1.75	-	0.74 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.52 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 2.2–16.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	1.50	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1982	3.00	-	0.52 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.70 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 11.5–57.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1982	0.50	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best hybrid sunfish lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 7, 1982Present Northern Pike population is composed of various year classes with an excellent length frequency. Growth and abundance is about average for thi…

Present Northern Pike population is composed of various year classes with an excellent length frequency. Growth and abundance is about average for this area. Bluegills, Pumpkinseeds, and Black Crappie abundance below average but size is good. Largemouth Bass present in low numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Hay?

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

Is there public access at Hay?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Hay. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Hay?

Hay has a maximum depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Hay last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hay is from 1982. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Hay have any invasive species?

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.

Are there special fishing regulations on Hay?

No — Hay has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.