Crooked

Itasca County

Near Spring Lake (Itasca)

DOW: 31080900

Yellow PerchExcellent · 100Black CrappieExcellent · 96Northern PikeExcellent · 88

A 104-acre lake near Spring Lake (Itasca) in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1979.

Fish Species (8)

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 30.5 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1979	1.00	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 2, 1979	30.50	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Excellent · 96

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 6.3 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1979	3.00	-	0.28 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 2, 1979	6.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Excellent · 88

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.88 lbs

Catch rate: 16.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1979	16.00	-	2.88 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 2, 1979	1.50	-	1.92 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 38

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1979	1.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 9

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.33 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1979	1.50	-	0.33 lbs	Standard trap 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

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.70 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1979	2.50	-	0.70 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Excellent · 99

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.35 lbs

Catch rate: 3.8 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1979	2.50	-	0.34 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 2, 1979	3.75	-	0.35 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Average · 33

Below-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1979	0.50	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best yellow perch 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).

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").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 2, 1979N Pike and Perch pop. higher than state and local medians. All other fish pop. within normal limits for this type of lake.

N Pike and Perch pop. higher than state and local medians. All other fish pop. within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Crooked?

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

Is there public access at Crooked?

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

How deep is Crooked?

Crooked has a maximum depth of 110 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Crooked last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Crooked is from 1979. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Crooked have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Crooked?

No — Crooked has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.