Hartley

Crow Wing County

Near East Gull Lake

DOW: 18039200

Northern PikeGood · 67WalleyeGood · 64Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 136-acre lake near East Gull Lake in Crow Wing County — best known for pike and walleye. Last surveyed 1989.

Fish Species (7)

Northern Pike

Good · 67

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.94 lbs

Catch rate: 18.0 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 10, 1989	18.00	-	1.94 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 10, 1989	0.25	-	1.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 64

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.75 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 10, 1989	4.00	-	1.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 10, 1989	0.25	-	1.75 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 10, 1989	1.00	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 46

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 6.5 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 10, 1989	2.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 10, 1989	6.50	-	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Stocked 2024

Average · 39

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 26.0 per trap net · typical 4.9–49.8 for a lake like this

Stocked with yearlings once · 400 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 10, 1989	26.00	-	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2024	yearlings	400	8.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Black Crappie

Stocked 2024

Average · 34

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 1.2–4.8 for a lake like this

Stocked with yearlings once · 800 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 10, 1989	2.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2024	yearlings	800	16.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Other species in this lake (1)

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

Black Bullhead

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 16.5 per trap net · typical 1.1–25.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 10, 1989	59.00	-	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 10, 1989	16.50	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

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

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 10, 1989Northern pike net catches indicate higher than average population densities, with the fish being of average size. The net catches were above the third…

Northern pike net catches indicate higher than average population densities, with the fish being of average size. The net catches were above the third quartile for lakes in lake class 39. Black bullhead net catches indicate higher than average population densities, with the net catches indicate higher than average population densities, with the net catches higher than the third quartile for lakes in lake class 39. The black bullhead size range smaller than average, with the average size of fish smaller than the first quartile of lake in lake class 39. Black crappie, pumpkinseed and bluegill net catches indicate average population densities with smaller than average size fish. Largemouth bass and walleye net catches indicate average population densities with average size fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Hartley?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Bluegill in Hartley. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Hartley?

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

How deep is Hartley?

Hartley has a maximum depth of 20 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Hartley last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hartley is from 1989. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Hartley have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Hartley?

No — Hartley has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.