Serpent Lake
About Serpent Lake
Serpent Lake is a 1,116-acre lake near Crosby in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 65 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 19.1 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city and Minnesota DNR. Crosby Memorial City Park Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. 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 17, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Serpent Lake
- 1,116 acres, up to 65 feet deep, near Crosby
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the city and Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 19.1 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Crosby Memorial City Park Campground
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city, Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,116 acres
- Max depth
- 65 ft
- Shoreline
- 9 mi
- Water clarity
- 19.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 338 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Crosby Memorial City Park Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 17
- Game fish
- 11
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 17
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- March 15, 2024
- Latest
- May 5, 2022
- Most recent
- April 17, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Crosby Memorial City Park Campground is mapped on or near Serpent Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Serpent Lake
Compare Serpent Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Serpent Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Serpent Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Serpent Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Serpent Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Serpent Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Agate Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Cuyuna187 acres
1.3 miles away
Lake Reno
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)167 acres
1.8 miles away
Portsmouth Mine
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Armour Number Two Mine149 acres
1.9 miles away
Black Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)106 acres
2.1 miles away
Pennington Mine
70 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Ironton62 acres
2.6 miles away
Clinker Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Crosby81 acres
2.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Serpent Lake?
Serpent Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Crosby. It covers 1,116 acres and reaches 65 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Serpent Lake?
Serpent Lake covers 1,116 acres with about 9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 65 feet.
What fish can you catch at Serpent Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Serpent Lake?
Yes. Serpent Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the city and Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Serpent Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Serpent Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Serpent Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Serpent Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Serpent Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 17, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 15, 2024 and the latest is May 5, 2022.
Can you camp at Serpent Lake?
Yes. Crosby Memorial City Park Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Serpent Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Serpent Lake as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.