Crystal

Blue Earth County, Minnesota — DOW #07009800

155 Surveys

379.38

Acres

8 ft

Max Depth

8 ft

Mean Depth

12

Fish Species

0

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard gill nets	11.6 (normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.18 lb	58
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	13.7 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.20 lb	82
1982-08-11	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.29 lb	7
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	12.4 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.25 lb	62
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	94.5 (above normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.05 lb	378
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	28.6 (above normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.05 lb	229
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	14.8 (above normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.29 lb	59
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	15.7 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.38 lb	141
1991-06-26	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.47 lb	2
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	3.2 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.44 lb	19
2001-08-16	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.77 lb	1
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	11.2 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.03 lb	101
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	34.3 (above normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.37 lb	103
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	40.8 (above normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.27 lb	326
1996-08-12	Survey seining	3.0	—	—	6
1996-08-12	Standard gill nets	52.0 (above normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.11 lb	104
1996-08-12	Standard trap nets	11.7 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.17 lb	105

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard gill nets	291.2 (above normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.24 lb	1456
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	263.3 (above normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.26 lb	1580
1982-08-11	Standard gill nets	133.0 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.35 lb	266
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	30.4 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.43 lb	152
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	159.4 (above normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.10 lb	1275
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	189.8 (above normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.12 lb	759
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	399.2 (above normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.01 lb	3593
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	186.0 (above normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.12 lb	744
1991-06-26	Standard gill nets	4.6 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.25 lb	23
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	28.7 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.23 lb	172
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.64 lb	2
2001-08-16	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.10 lb	2
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	69.4 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.06 lb	555
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	112.3 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.22 lb	337
1996-08-12	Standard trap nets	3.1 (below normal)	11.5 – 132.6	1.14 lb	28
1996-08-12	Standard gill nets	29.5 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.41 lb	59

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard gill nets	17.2 (above normal)	0.8 – 6.5	0.95 lb	86
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.6	1.15 lb	17
1982-08-11	Standard gill nets	40.5 (above normal)	0.8 – 6.5	1.18 lb	81
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	8.6 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.6	1.55 lb	43
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	0.8 – 6.5	0.93 lb	13
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 2.6	2.03 lb	7
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.5	2.27 lb	3
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.6	2.41 lb	30
1991-06-26	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.5	0.50 lb	1
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.6	0.95 lb	15
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 2.6	1.55 lb	5
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	0.8 – 6.5	2.12 lb	16
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.6	1.70 lb	1
1996-08-12	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	0.8 – 6.5	1.66 lb	6
1996-08-12	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 2.6	2.32 lb	11

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	13.8 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.16 lb	83
1987-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.12 lb	1
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	50.4 (above normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.37 lb	252
1982-08-11	Standard gill nets	6.0	—	0.35 lb	12
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.27 lb	7
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.36 lb	9
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	20.0 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.29 lb	120
2001-08-16	Survey seining	2.7	—	—	8
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.21 lb	3
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	2.6 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.25 lb	21
1996-08-12	Survey seining	147.5	—	—	295
1996-08-12	Standard trap nets	6.3 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.23 lb	57

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.20 lb	14
1987-08-10	Standard gill nets	4.4 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.21 lb	22
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.37 lb	18
1982-08-11	Standard gill nets	4.5 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.32 lb	9
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.19 lb	4
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.28 lb	13
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.22 lb	3
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	6.3 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.19 lb	25
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.14 lb	16
2001-08-16	Survey seining	2.7	—	0.02 lb	8
2001-08-16	Standard gill nets	2.0 (below normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.39 lb	4
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	7.3 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.40 lb	22
1996-08-12	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.09 lb	7
1996-08-12	Survey seining	32.0	—	—	64
1996-08-12	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.10 lb	6

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard gill nets	25.2 (above normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.88 lb	126
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	5.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	2.54 lb	30
1982-08-11	Standard gill nets	65.5 (above normal)	2.3 – 18.1	0.69 lb	131
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	10.6 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.23 lb	53
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	11.5 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.78 lb	46
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	0.79 lb	11
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	11.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.09 lb	44
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	7.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	2.22 lb	70
1991-06-26	Standard gill nets	17.8 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	0.63 lb	89
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	3.7 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.65 lb	22
2001-08-16	Survey seining	0.3	—	0.05 lb	1
2001-08-16	Standard gill nets	20.5 (above normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.01 lb	41
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	6.4 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	0.93 lb	58
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	18.3 (above normal)	2.3 – 18.1	0.34 lb	55
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	0.41 lb	9
1996-08-12	Survey seining	0.5	—	—	1
1996-08-12	Standard gill nets	35.5 (above normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.21 lb	71
1996-08-12	Standard trap nets	2.6 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.11 lb	23

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard gill nets	9.6 (normal)	1.0 – 13.8	0.64 lb	48
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	37.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.5	0.15 lb	224
1982-08-11	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 13.8	3.50 lb	2
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 5.5	5.20 lb	5
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	30.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 13.8	0.77 lb	122
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	8.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.5	0.85 lb	68
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.5	6.78 lb	2
1991-06-26	Standard gill nets	35.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 13.8	0.78 lb	175
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	30.2 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.5	0.81 lb	181
2001-08-16	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.0 – 13.8	4.73 lb	5
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	2.7 (normal)	1.0 – 5.5	3.49 lb	24
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	1.0 – 13.8	4.23 lb	4
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	1.0 – 5.5	5.30 lb	34
1996-08-12	Standard gill nets	36.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 13.8	2.33 lb	72
1996-08-12	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	1.0 – 5.5	4.49 lb	16

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.10 lb	2
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.28 lb	14
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.60 lb	1

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.71 lb	4
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.67 lb	3
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	0.29 lb	13
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	14.6 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.40 lb	117
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.5	0.77 lb	1
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	3.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.52 lb	34
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.67 lb	4
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.47 lb	10
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	0.37 lb	2
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	8.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.34 lb	70

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-08-11	Standard trap nets	7.0 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.27 lb	35
2001-08-16	Survey seining	1.0	—	0.01 lb	3

White Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	0.5 – 8.4	0.12 lb	19
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 6.0	0.15 lb	10
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 6.0	0.85 lb	2
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.3 – 6.0	0.58 lb	13

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	6.3 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.13 lb	25
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	2.76 lb	8
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	3.47 lb	7
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	3.3	—	3.26 lb	30
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	7.80 lb	1
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	1.81 lb	4
2001-08-16	Survey seining	0.3	—	0.10 lb	1
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.1 – 8.0	1.27 lb	2
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	3.19 lb	5

Channel Catfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	1.5	—	2.77 lb	6
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.5	—	3.48 lb	12
1991-06-26	Standard gill nets	0.4	—	3.00 lb	2
1996-08-12	Standard gill nets	2.0	—	1.61 lb	4
1996-08-12	Standard trap nets	2.2	—	1.12 lb	20

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.0	1.37 lb	1
2011-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	1.33 lb	2
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	19.8 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.0	2.74 lb	79
2022-08-15	Standard trap nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.0	4.27 lb	30
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.0	0.06 lb	1
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	3.99 lb	1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1991-06-26	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.25 lb	2
2001-08-16	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.55 lb	1
2016-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.87 lb	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-08-16	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	1
2016-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.6	0.14 lb	1

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2001-08-16	Survey seining	51.3	—	154

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2001-08-16	Survey seining	7.3	—	22
1996-08-12	Survey seining	3.5	—	7

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Showing 12 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Atlantis Hobby

Mankato, MN

★ 4.8

Bait Shop

Mapleton, MN

Buckmeister Bait and Butcher

Madison Lake, MN

★ 5

Lake Wita Live Bait

Kasota, MN

★ 4.7

Pet Expo - Mankato

Mankato, MN

★ 4.7

Walts Bait and Tackle

Mankato, MN

★ 4.6

Nearby Marinas

Dale's Marine

Madison Lake, MN

★ 4.6

Duck Lake Park

Madison Lake, MN

★ 4.6

Fort Le Hillier Landing River Access

Mankato, MN

★ 4.3

Lake Washington Club, Inc

Madison Lake, MN

★ 4.9

Mankato Motorsports

Mankato, MN

★ 4.7

Mapleton Marine

Mapleton, MN

★ 3.9

Resorts & Lodges Near Crystal

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Crystal.

Fishing Resort Mankato

(507) 387-8600

River Center Properties

Fishing Resort Mankato

(507) 387-7368

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Crystal. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Bigmouth Buffalo Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Common Carp Hybrid Sunfish Northern Pike Walleye White Crappie White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Other Lakes in Blue Earth County

Ballantyne

Duck

Eagle

George

Hiniker Pond

Ida

Plan Your Trip to Crystal

Weather forecast for Crystal — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 44.1094°N, 94.2032°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.