Cross Lake Reservoir

Walleyes have been stocked into Cross Lake on a regular basis since 1948. The current management plan calls for annual fry stocking at a rate of 1,000/littoral acre (880,000 fry) and fingerling stockings in even numbered years at a rate of 1 pound per littoral acre (880 pounds). Night electrofishing was done on September 23rd, 2024, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours in which no YOY Walleyes caught. Past catch rates of YOY Walleyes have been as high as 6.5 fish/hour. One non-YOY Walleye was sampled measuring 13.6".

Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basin in Cross Lake Reservoir on August 14, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco are also present). Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 31.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 50.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 19.0 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.5 degrees C (49.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of this survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2021 and 2023 during the late summer thermal stress period also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat. A survey in 2011 was completed just after the thermal stress period and the TDO3 value was warmer than the Lake Whitefish standard (18.1 degrees C). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basin in Cross Lake Reservoir on August 14, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco are also present). Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 31.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 50.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 19.0 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.5 degrees C (49.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of this survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2021 and 2023 during the late summer thermal stress period also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat. A survey in 2011 was completed just after the thermal stress period and the TDO3 value was warmer than the Lake Whitefish standard (18.1 degrees C). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, and Walleye in Cross Lake Reservoir. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Cross Lake Reservoir has a maximum depth of 84 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Cross Lake Reservoir has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Cross Lake Reservoir, covering crappie and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.