Crystal

St. Louis County

Near Melrude

DOW: 69064500

Rock BassExcellent · 100Yellow PerchExcellent · 78Northern PikeGood · 55

A 37-acre lake near Melrude in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1974.

Fish Species (5)

Rock Bass

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1974

Last surveyed 1974 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 16.5 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1974	6.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 31, 1974	16.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 78

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1974

Last surveyed 1974 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 7.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1974	7.00	-	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 55

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1974

Last surveyed 1974 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.92 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1974	6.00	-	1.92 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 31, 1974	1.75	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 48

Typical numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1974

Last surveyed 1974 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 10.8 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1974	10.75	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

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

White Sucker

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1974

Last surveyed 1974 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.56 lbs

Catch rate: 16.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1974	0.50	-	3.38 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1974	16.00	-	2.56 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best rock bass 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

Northeast zone

Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released).

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

Northeast zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Not more than 1 over 26").

Rock Bass

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

no limit

This lake is near a regulation-zone boundary — verify the zone on the DNR map.

Biologist Notes

July 31, 1974(that we talked to were not receptive to the (idea. No waterfowl or furbearers were obsrvd (nor was there sign of either.

(that we talked to were not receptive to the (idea. No waterfowl or furbearers were obsrvd (nor was there sign of either.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Crystal?

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

Is there public access at Crystal?

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

How deep is Crystal?

Crystal has a maximum depth of 54 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Crystal last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Crystal is from 1974. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Crystal have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Crystal?

No — Crystal has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide rock bass limit is: 30. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.