Lower Hay

The current management plan calls for 5 million Walleye fry to be stocked annually into Whitefish which is connected to Lower Hay by a wide channel. In even numbered years Whitefish is also stocked with 2,714 lbs. of fingerlings; some of this stocking takes place at the Lower Hay access. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 17th, 2025, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. Total sample time was 34 minutes, which resulted in no Walleye being caught. Previous YOY Walleye catches have ranged from 0 to 53.1 per hour.

The current management plan calls for 5 million Walleye fry to be stocked annually into Whitefish and another 880,000 into Cross, both of which are connected to Lower Hay. Whitefish is also stocked in even numbered years with 2,714 lbs. of fingerlings; some of this stocking takes place at the Lower Hay access. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 16th, 2024, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. The total sample time was 47 minutes, which resulted in a YOY Walleye catch rate of 5.1/hour run-time. These fish ranged in size from 5.6" to 6.9", with a mean length of 6.3". Previous catches have ranged from 0 to 53.1/hour run-time. Walleyes that were age 1 and older were sampled at a rate of 6.4/hour run-time. They ranged in size from 8.0" to 11.1", with a mean length of 9.9".

While the Lower Hay management plan doesn't call for any direct Walleye stocking, it is connected to Whitefish which is stocked annually with fry and every other year with fingerlings. Fish are regularly stocked from the Lower Hay access as it is one of the better accesses on the chain. Walleyes were caught in below average numbers in 2024 (2.8/gill net). The average length was 16.0" and 53% were 14" or larger. Northern Pike numbers were average when compared to similar lakes at 4.7/gill net and down from the 2018 survey (14.1/gill net). The size structure was made up of quality pike, with a mean length of 23.8" and 21% measuring 26" or larger. Largemouth Bass numbers for the Whitefish Chain, which includes Lower Hay, were 44.9/hour run-time during night electrofishing. Average length was 13.1". Three Smallmouth Bass were also netted while electrofishing the chain. All were over 16". In 2021, a new regulation was adopted that reduced the Black Crappie and Sunfish daily limit to 5 each to maintain or improve panfish sizes in The Whitefish Chain. Panfish numbers were average with 12.4 Bluegills/trap net. Average size was 6.0" and 28% of the fish were 7" or larger and 5% were at least 8". The largest Bluegill was nearly 9". Black Crappies were sampled at a rate of 0.9/trap net with an average length of 10.3". Lake Whitefish and Tullibee (Cisco), which are important forage fish for Walleye and Northern Pike, were both caught in Lower Hay. Numbers were high for Whitefish (4.7/gill net) and low for Tullibee (0.1/gill net). Average size was 11.2" for Lake Whitefish. Zebra Mussels are present in Lower Hay Lake. Before and after launching lake-users should inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

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

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

Lower Hay has a maximum depth of 100 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Lower Hay 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 Lower Hay, 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.