| Mille
Lacs Lake |
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| Just a short
distance from Cragun's is Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota's
second-largest lake which spans 132,000 surface acres or slightly
more than 200 square miles. Maximum depths barely exceed 40 feet,
while much of the main lake falls into the 20 to 38 foot depth
ranges. While the north half of Mille Lacs contains most of the
lake's mud flats, the southern portion of the lake offers more
gravel and rock bars. All sides of the lake offer some shallow
reef-top fishing. Deep-water angling takes place on the southern
deep gravel and rocks as well as on dozens of mud flats in the
north half of the lake. Shoreline break fishing on varied bottom
types occurs all around the lake. The weed line is at 9 to 10
feet. Mille Lacs Lake
offers the angler acres of multi-species action in a genuine "big
lake" setting. Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Jumbo Perch,
Smallmouth Bass and Tullibee share the limelight at this popular
fishing lake--on open water and on ice. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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Whitefish Lake |
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Just northeast
from Cragun's is Whitefish Lake, a 7,370 acre lake that is part of
the 14,000 acre whitefish reservoir chain in northern Crow Wing
County. The lake is heavily developed and is a very popular
recreational lake with very heavy boat traffic on many summer
days. The majority of the lake has a sand bottom and water clarity
is good down to 10 feet. The lake is 138 ft. at its deepest.
In the 2000 lake survey the northern pike were found in high
numbers, with sizes ranging from 13.1 to 36.1 inches and over 20%
at 24.0 inches or greater. Walleye sizes ranged from 9.6 to 28.7
inches, with an average size of 16.5 inches. Walleyes age five and
less comprised 85% of the catch. Largemouth bass were present in
high numbers and sizes ranged from 4.4 to 17.4 inches. Bluegills
were found in very high numbers, but size was small, with 98.3% of
the catch less than 7.0 inches. Black crappie numbers were good
with sizes ranging from 3.9 to 9.8 inches and growth rate was
average. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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| Pelican
Lake |
|
Located northeast
from Cragun's is Pelican, at 8,253 acres, it is one of the largest
lakes in the Brainerd area. The lake has a maximum depth of 104
feet and about 47% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Pelican
is classified as a hard water lake with good water clarity. It is
one of the most popular recreational lakes in the area.
Walleyes, largemouth bass, crappies, sunfish and northern pike are
popular sportfish in Pelican Lake. In 1998, largemouth bass had
"high" abundance when compared to similar type lakes. Most bass
sampled were fairly young and had good growth. Northern pike
numbers were similar to those from past nettings. Pike averaged 21
inches and 2.3 lbs. in '98. Growth was good. Walleye size averaged
17 inches and 1.6 lbs. Bluegills were caught in "average" numbers
when compared to similar type lakes. About 10% of bluegills
measured were at least 7.0 inches long. Black crappie numbers were
also in the "average" category. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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| Hardy Lake |
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Located southeast
from Cragun's, Hardy is a 95-acre lake with a maximum depth of 26
feet. About 46% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep.
Northern pike were caught in "high" numbers in 1993, compared to
similar type lakes. Average size was 2.2 lbs. Largemouth bass were
caught in "average" numbers. Bluegills were taken in "high"
numbers and tended to be small and slow growing. Black crappies
were caught at a rate which bordered on "low." Hybrid sunfish were
also present in the lake. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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| Round Lake |
|
Located northeast
from Cragun's, Round Lake is 1,644. A public access is located on
the south side of the lake. It has a maximum depth of 51 feet and
38% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Emergent plants such as
bulrush and wild rice are important for shoreline protection,
maintaining water quality, and provide essential spawning habitat
for northern pike, bass, and panfish species. Submerged plants
provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species.
Walleyes have been stocked on a nearly annual basis since 1976.
Walleye abundance in 3 nettings from 1986-1996 was above average.
Average length and weight was 14.7" and 1.3 lbs. The northern pike
catch was average when compared to similar lakes. The average
length increased from 24" to 25", with average weight at 3.8 lbs.
Largemouth bass were sampled in average numbers when compared to
similar lakes. Average weight was 0.6 lbs and 27% of all
largemouth bass measured were 12" or larger. The bluegill catch
was above average for similar lakes and was comparable to typical
catches on Round Lake. Growth was average and 8% of bluegills
measured in trap nets were 7" or larger. Black crappie abundance
was average in 2001. Average weight was 0.6 lbs and 94% of the
fish sampled were 8" or larger. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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| Lake
Edward |
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Edward is a 2,032
acre lake located just north of Merrifield and northeast of
Cragun's. There is a public access located on the west side of the
lake. Maximum depth is 75 feet and about 51% of the surface area
is less than 15 feet deep. Soils in water less than four feet deep
are basically sandy.
The aquatic plant community has species like bulrush, which
enhance the quality of spawning habitat for bass and panfish
species. Wild rice can help provide spawning substrate for
northern pike.
The northern pike catch was in the "high" category when compared
to similar type lakes. Size averaged 19 inches and 1.8 lbs.
Walleyes have been stocked regularly since the mid 1940's. Annual
fry stocking has been done since 1976. By '97, walleye abundance
had returned to the "average" category. The largemouth bass catch
bordered on "low" in '97, but several age classes were sampled,
but bass are often poorly sampled in stationary nets used in
summer netting. The bluegill catch has always been in the
"average" category, with about 8% of the bluegills were 7.0 inches
or more in length. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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| Leech Lake |
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| Located north of
Cragun's is Leech Lake, the third largest lake entirely within the
boundaries of Minnesota and has approximately 112,000 surface
acres. The lake is geographically located in three glacial zones
and has an irregular shape with many large and small bays. The
deepest area of the lake is located in Walker Bay where depths
reach around 150 feet deep. Approximately 80% of the lake is less
than 35 feet deep. Similar to other large lakes in Minnesota, the
fish community is dominated by species in the perch and pike
families. Walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge are the primary
predator species. Leech Lake renowned among anglers for its
excellent walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge fishing.
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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| North
Long Lake |
|
Located just east
of Cragun's is North Long lake which is 6,000 acres in size and
has a maximum depth of 97 ft. It is one of the larger and more
popular recreational lakes in the Brainerd Area. The lake is
comprised of three distinct basins, each having its own
characteristics. In many ways, the three basins can be considered
to be separate lakes. This variety of habitat accounts for a
widely diverse fish population.
In 1999, northern pike, bluegill and largemouth bass were netted
in high numbers compared to similar lake types. Walleyes were
found in average numbers, had good growth and five year classes
were sampled. Walleye stocking has taken place annually since
1986. Largemouth bass continue to be present in high numbers and
are a popular angling attraction. Also, the lake sustains
substantial winter and summer fishing aimed at black crappies,
bluegills and walleyes. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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| Lake
Hubert |
|
Located a few
miles northeast from Cragun's is Lake Hubert which is 1,294 acres
in. A public access is located on the west side of the lake.
Maximum depth is 83 feet and 36% of the lake is 15 feet deep or
less. The aquatic plant community is relatively diverse with 22
species observed. Emergent plants such as bulrush provide
essential spawning habitat for bass and panfish species.
Walleye average size was 18.9" and 2.3 lbs. The northern pike
growth was average and size averaged 21.3" and 2.3 lbs. Smallmouth
bass continued to be caught at above average numbers compared to
similar lakes. Average length and weight were 15.2" and 2.0 lbs.
About 76% of the smallmouth measured were 12" or larger.
Largemouth bass were caught in average numbers. Average length was
8.5" for all largemouth bass and 7% were 12" or larger. Black
crappie were abundant and growth was fast through age 1 and
average thereafter. Nearly 33% of all crappies sampled were 8" or
larger. Bluegill were present in average numbers in 2001.
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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| Nokay Lake |
|
Nokay is a
660-acre lake located several miles east of Brainerd, in Crow Wing
County. There is a public access located on the west shore of the
lake. The lake is 42 feet deep and about 33% of the surface area
is less than 15 feet deep.
Plant species like bulrush also enhance the quality of spawning
habitat for bass and panfish species. Species like wild rice can
enhance spawning habitat for northern pike. Submerged and floating
leafed species provide cover and food sources for a wide variety
of aquatic species.
The northern pike in Nokay Lake are classed in the "average"
category. Size averaged 22 inches and 3.0 lbs. in '97. Walleyes
have been stocked every third year, beginning in 1986. Catch rates
have generally been in the "average" category. Size has
consistently averaged about 18 inches and 2 lbs. since 1991. The
largemouth bass catch was in the "average" category in '97.
Several year classes were sampled and young bass appeared to have
satisfactory growth. The bluegill catch was "average" and similar
to 1991 results. About 7% of the bluegills measured were at least
7.0 inches long in '97. The black crappie catch was in the
"average" category. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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|
Lower Mission Lake |
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| Located nine miles
north of Merrifield and northeast from Cragun's is Lower Mission a
698 acre lake. It is connected to 817 acre Upper Mission via a
navigable channel. Maximum depth is 27 feet with 65% of the lake
less than 15 feet deep. Water clarity was fair when compared to
other lakes in the area. There is a diverse and very abundant
aquatic plant community. Bulrush and wild rice beds are very
common. A public access exists along the west shore or via the
channel from Upper Mission which has a public access on the north
side. The lake is primarily managed as a northern pike, largemouth
bass and panfish lake, with walleye management as a secondary
species. Walleye have been stocked quite frequently in the 1990's
and pre-1974. Sizes in 1999 ranged from 13.6 to 25.3 inches with
an average size of 21.0 inches. The northern pike catch is
considered normal for this lake. Sizes range from 13.1 to 28.9
inches with average size about 19.8 inches and weighing 1.9 lbs.
Black crappie were present in low to moderate numbers, with sizes
ranging from 3.4 to 12.8 inches and with 28% being 9 inches or
larger. Bluegill were represented in normal numbers with sizes
ranging from 3.0 to 9.2 inches with 10.4% being 7.0 inches or
larger. Largemouth bass were present in very good numbers with
sizes ranging from 6.8 to 18.3 inches with 24% 12.0 inches or
larger. |
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DNR Depth Map PDF
DNR Lake Information Report |
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