Cross Lake Reservoir

Crow Wing County, Minnesota — DOW #18031200

119 Surveys

Special Regulations for Cross Lake Reservoir

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

Daily limit five. (Whitefish Chain including connected Cross Lake Reservoir, Lower Hay, Arrowhead, Bertha, Clamshell, Big Trout, Pig, Island-Loon, Rush-Hen, Dagget, and Little Pine lakes)

Invasive Species Alert

Cross Lake Reservoir has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

1,815

Acres

84 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Cross Lake Reservoir. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	1.02 lb	1
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.2	0.66 lb	7
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.48 lb	2
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 2.2	0.81 lb	11
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.2	0.93 lb	7

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	0.11 lb	20
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	2.2 (below normal)	2.5 – 24.2	0.17 lb	33
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	0.12 lb	8
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.9 (below normal)	2.5 – 24.2	0.15 lb	28
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	0.14 lb	8
1995-07-17	Survey seining	2.0	—	—	12
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	1.9 (below normal)	2.5 – 24.2	0.14 lb	23
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	2.5 – 24.2	0.19 lb	55

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.9	0.04 lb	1

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	9.6 (normal)	0.9 – 10.0	0.68 lb	144
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	7.4 (normal)	1.5 – 7.7	0.51 lb	111
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	13.0 (above normal)	0.9 – 10.0	0.53 lb	195
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	6.8 (normal)	1.5 – 7.7	0.39 lb	108
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	4.7 (normal)	0.9 – 10.0	0.61 lb	56
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	6.0 (normal)	1.5 – 7.7	0.49 lb	84
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	9.9 (normal)	0.9 – 10.0	0.66 lb	148

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	14.9 (above normal)	3.1 – 8.5	1.87 lb	223
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	1.3	—	1.34 lb	19
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	12.5 (above normal)	3.1 – 8.5	1.90 lb	188
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.4	—	1.52 lb	23
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	16.4 (above normal)	3.1 – 8.5	2.06 lb	197
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	1.2	—	1.55 lb	17
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	10.1 (above normal)	3.1 – 8.5	1.89 lb	151

GRR

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	4.61 lb	2
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	10.14 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	2.80 lb	1
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	5.12 lb	2

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	3.6 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.47 lb	54
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.6 – 2.5	0.09 lb	27
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	3.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.56 lb	52
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.6 – 2.5	0.25 lb	28
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.55 lb	24
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.6 – 2.5	0.19 lb	28
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	4.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.34 lb	62

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.32 lb	8
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	3.9	—	0.27 lb	59
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.20 lb	7
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	4.3	—	0.24 lb	69
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.2	—	—	1
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.09 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	1.1	—	0.18 lb	16
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.26 lb	2

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.2	3.02 lb	1
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.2	1.88 lb	2
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.9	3.75 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.2	2.79 lb	3
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.9	2.20 lb	1

LKW

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.7	5.05 lb	1
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.7	1.93 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	2.51 lb	6

Smallmouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	1.47 lb	2
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	2.68 lb	2

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	3.1 (normal)	1.3 – 5.5	2.33 lb	47
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.38 lb	3
2021-09-27	Fall electrofishing	2.0	—	2.05 lb	4
2024-09-23	Fall electrofishing	0.5	—	0.80 lb	1
2022-09-26	Fall electrofishing	1.0	—	4.58 lb	2
2005-07-19	Standard electrofishing	14.2	—	0.34 lb	29
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.3 – 5.5	2.24 lb	38
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.62 lb	6
2023-09-11	Fall electrofishing	9.0	—	0.21 lb	18
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	4.9 (normal)	1.3 – 5.5	2.25 lb	59
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.38 lb	5
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	1.3 – 5.5	2.01 lb	22

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.04 lb	50
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.41 lb	5
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.76 lb	43
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.31 lb	20
1995-07-17	Survey seining	1.7	—	0.04 lb	10
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.88 lb	3
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.22 lb	9
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.86 lb	49

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	8.9	—	0.19 lb	134
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	27.7 (normal)	5.6 – 42.3	0.07 lb	415
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	5.0	—	0.18 lb	75
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	39.0 (normal)	5.6 – 42.3	0.06 lb	624
1995-07-17	Survey seining	12.0	—	—	72
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	3.8	—	0.16 lb	46
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	31.7 (normal)	5.6 – 42.3	0.13 lb	444
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	3.5	—	0.09 lb	52

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	5.4	—	0.15 lb	81
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	8.9 (above normal)	1.7 – 8.2	0.10 lb	133
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	5.0	—	0.15 lb	75
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	8.1 (normal)	1.7 – 8.2	0.13 lb	129
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.8	—	—	5
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.08 lb	1
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	1.7 – 8.2	0.13 lb	25
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	2.5	—	0.18 lb	38

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 0.4	5.70 lb	3
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 1.0	4.70 lb	9
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.4	4.30 lb	1
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.0	3.81 lb	5
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.0	4.35 lb	3

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.7 – 6.5	0.51 lb	26
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.7 – 6.5	0.57 lb	25
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.7 – 6.5	0.42 lb	27
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.7 – 6.5	0.29 lb	11

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	2.36 lb	8
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	2.88 lb	10
1995-07-17	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	2.79 lb	11
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.5	2.26 lb	2

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	0.39 lb	25
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	0.37 lb	15
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	0.36 lb	34
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	0.36 lb	37
1995-07-17	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	0.26 lb	20
2021-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	0.53 lb	8

LES

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.05 lb	1
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	0.16 lb	3
1995-07-17	Survey seining	0.2	—	—	1

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.3	4.18 lb	1
2005-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.4	2.65 lb	1

Logperch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	2.5	—	15

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1995-07-17	Survey seining	3.8	—	23

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

66 Marine North

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

★ 4.3

66 marine north storage

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

Bay Lake Marine - Sales

Deerwood, MN

(218) 534-3435

★ 4.3

Bay Lake Marine-Service

Deerwood, MN

(218) 678-2096

★ 4.2

Bell Marine LLC

Merrifield, MN

(218) 821-0842

Boats and beyond - dock

Brainerd, MN

(218) 963-7700

★ 4.9

Resorts & Lodges Near Cross Lake Reservoir

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Cross Lake Reservoir.

Bay Colony Inn (A Gull Lake Beach Resorts Property)

Fishing Resort Nisswa

(218) 656-6965

Crosslake Cabin

Fishing Resort Crosslake

Crosslake Cabins

Fishing Resort Crosslake

Crosslake Vacations & Rentals

Fishing Resort Crosslake

(218) 656-0403

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Cross Lake Reservoir. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

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

Fishing Guides Near Cross Lake Reservoir

371 Outdoors (Ice Forts)

Fishing Guide

(218) 824-1722

Blong's Brainerd Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 825-8965

Brainerd Fishing Guides

(218) 829-7010

(218) 692-7368

(320) 345-7111

Let's Go Fishing Brd Lks Chapter

Fishing Guide

(218) 454-3474

View all 15 guides →

Other Lakes in Crow Wing County

Plan Your Trip to Cross Lake Reservoir

Weather forecast for Cross Lake Reservoir — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.6645°N, 94.1301°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Cross Lake Reservoir

Special Regulations for Cross Lake Reservoir

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Green Sunfish

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

GRR

Rock Bass

Hybrid Sunfish

Shorthead Redhorse

LKW

Smallmouth Bass

Walleye

Largemouth Bass

Bluegill

Pumpkinseed

Bowfin

Tullibee (Cisco)

White Sucker

Black Crappie

LES

Burbot

Logperch

Common Shiner

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Adventure To Go - Nisswa

Bertha Boatworks

Birch Island Outdoors

Brad Dwyer Outdoors

Crow Wing Kayaks

Dunham's Sports

Fish Lectronics of Nisswa

Fishy Gifts

Nearby Marinas

66 Marine North

66 marine north storage

Bay Lake Marine - Sales

Bay Lake Marine-Service

Bell Marine LLC

Boats and beyond - dock

Resorts & Lodges Near Cross Lake Reservoir

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Cross Lake Reservoir

Other Lakes in Crow Wing County

Adney

Agate

Allen

Ann

Anna

Arrowhead

Plan Your Trip to Cross Lake Reservoir