---
type: lake
name: "Lower Hay Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Jenkins"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 700
max_depth_ft: 100
latitude: 46.66942
longitude: -94.2839
lake_score: 67
dnr_lake_id: "18037800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/lower-hay-lake
---

# Lower Hay Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Jenkins

- **Surface Area**: 700 acres
- **Max Depth**: 100 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 18.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 67/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lower Hay Lake is a 700-acre lake near Jenkins in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 100 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 18.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 21 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 59 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 21
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 20
- **Years of record**: 59
- **Earliest**: 2021-04-07
- **Latest**: 1989-05-25

## Nearby Lakes

- [Bertha Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/bertha-lake) - 1.5 miles, 337 acres
- [Upper Hay Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/upper-hay-lake) - 2 miles, 596 acres
- [Clamshell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/clamshell-lake) - 2.5 miles, 211 acres
- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/clear-lake) - 2.9 miles, 226 acres
- [Grass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/grass-lake) - 3 miles, 45 acres
- [Whitefish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/whitefish-lake) - 3.6 miles, 7,714 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.66942,-94.2839)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18037800)
- [All lakes in Crow Wing County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/lower-hay-lake)*