Crawford Lake
About Crawford Lake
Crawford Lake is an 110-acre lake near Montrose in Wright County, Minnesota. It reaches 19 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 4 feet, and has roughly 1.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to black and white crappie, largemouth bass, perch, and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county.
Plan Your Visit to Crawford Lake
- 110 acres, up to 19 feet deep, near Montrose
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 8.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 110 acres
- Max depth
- 19 ft
- Average depth
- 4 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 107 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
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 12
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Black and White Crappie: Possession limit five.
- Largemouth Bass: Catch-and-release only.
- Perch: Possession limit ten.
- Sunfish: Possession limit five.
- Walleye: Possession limit two.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Crawford Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Dean Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Buffalo176 acres
1.8 miles away
Deer Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Buffalo171 acres
3.8 miles away
Fountain Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Montrose435 acres
4.3 miles away
Buffalo Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Buffalo1,552 acres
4.5 miles away
Waverly Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Waverly494 acres
5.8 miles away
Lake Rebecca
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreHennepin · Rockford263 acres
6.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Crawford Lake?
Crawford Lake is in Wright County, Minnesota, near Montrose. It covers 110 acres and reaches 19 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Crawford Lake?
Crawford Lake covers 110 acres with about 1.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 19 feet and its average depth is about 4 feet.
What fish can you catch at Crawford Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Crawford Lake?
Yes. Crawford Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Crawford Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Crawford 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 Crawford Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Crawford Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Crawford Lake?
Yes. Possession limit five. Catch-and-release only. Additional lake-specific rules apply; check the DNR regulations before you fish.